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Kenneth joined the Navy in Birmingham and reported to San Diego for training as a Hospital Corpsman
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Kenneth completed the Navy training course to be a Pharmacist's Mate Third Class in San Diego.
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Kenneth volunteered to be a field corpsman with the Fleet Marine Force and sailed for the South Pacific to spend a training period on Guadalcanal, which was occupied by American forces. Comparing the dates with the history of the unit he was attached to, the 22nd Marines, this period on Guadalcanal was in preparation for the invasion of Guam.
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Kenneth landed on the beaches near Agat in southern Guam with Co. F, 22nd Marines, 1st Provisional Marine Brigade. During the initial stages of the landing the 22nd Marines suffered heavy casualties and also endured multiple counter attacks that were carried out at night by the Japanese. By 25 July the Orote Penninsula was isolated from the rest of the island. Guam was declared secure 8 August 1944
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Kenneth returned to Guadalcanal with the 22nd Marines after the invasion of Guam to train for the invasion of Okinawa. While on Guadalcanal, the 22nd Marines along with the 4th and 29th regiments were designated the 6th Marine Division. According to a letter written after the war by a friend of Kenneth's they spent a five day leave together on Guadalcanal a month before the invasion of Okinawa. Kenneth told his friend to pull his socks up over his pants and tie a handkerchief around his neck to keep the mosquitos off. They also watched the movie "Two Girls and a Sailor"
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The 22nd Marines make the first of many assaults on Sugar Loaf Hill, during the Battle for Okinawa.
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On the night of May 14, a collection of 44 volunteers from the decimated companies of what was left of the 22nd made a night assault on Sugar Loaf. It was during this assault that Kenneth was killed while aiding wounded. It is noted in his first recommendation for a bronze star that "He advanced on six distinct occasions forward of the lines to aid casualties." This Bronze Star medal recommendation would go through the administrative process and be upgraded to a Silver Star Medal.
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Kenneth was awarded the Silver Star Medal posthumously by Captain J.W. Callahan, USN at Brown Hall, Alabama Polytechnic Institute, Auburn, AL. The medal was accepted by his wife, Mary Bess and his brother Earl was also in attendance.
The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the SILVER STAR MEDAL posthumously to
KENNETH LEON WEBB, PHARMACIST'S MATE SECOND CLASS, UNITED STATES NAVAL RESERVE
for service as set forth in the following CITATION:
"For conspicious gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Medical Corpsman attached to a Marine rifle company, 2nd Battalion, 22nd Marines, 6th Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa Shima, Ryukyu Islands, May 14, 1945. Repeatedly advancing under heavy enemy fire to areas forward of our lines during the action on Sugar Loaf Hill, WEBB unhesitatingly answered calls for his assistance and administered life saving aid to his fallen comrades. Mortally wounded while going for ward to aid a casualty, WEBB, by his indomitable courage and tireless efforts in rendering assistance, served as an inspiration to the men of his company and made possible the evacuation of many Marines for further treatment. His heroic and unselfish actions and zealous devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon WEBB and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life in the service of his country."
For the President,
(James Forrestal)
Secretary of the Navy
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- Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal - WWII (With one campaign star (Guam and Okinawa campaigns))
- Presidential Unit Citation (Awarded to the 6th Marine Division For extraordinary heroism in action against enemy Japanese forces during the assault and capture of Okinawa, April 1 to June 21, 1945)
- Purple Heart Medal (Killed in action against an enemy combatant)
- Silver Star Medal (Gallantry in Action against an enemy of the United States)
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Click on the pictures to enlarge.
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A portrait of Kenneth Webb drawn by me
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Brothers Earl and Kenneth
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In his Navy Uniform
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With his wife
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Presentation of the Silver Star Medal to his wife 5 October 1946 Brown Hall, Alabama Polytechnic Institute, Auburn, AL. His brother Earl in the plaid shirt.
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Another picture in his Marine uniform
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