Cpl. John Marr Webb

Introduction

Recently, Aunt Jenny sent me a copy the military record for my Grandpa Webb (John Marr Webb, 1932-1999). Grandpa Webb told several people the story of how a several times (two or more depending on the telling). In some tellings those from his unit that were sent to Korea suffered horrible casualties.

Well, I have learned a thing or two about read military records in the last thirteen years while I have been in the Naval Service. There is a story here and I will do my best to tell it. Please pardon me as I use his name and rank, it reminds us that we are talking about an actual person and not character we new as Dad or Grandpa (very different roles than the 18-20 year old U.S. Army Solider).

Story

John Marr Webb of 555½ Cedar Street, Chillicothe, Ohio was ordered by Local Board no. 104 (Ross County, Selective Service System) to report for induction at 7:45 AM on the 11th day of December, 1952. Private Webb graduated from 8 weeks of basic training at Fort Campbell, Kentucky on 21 FEB 1953 and had received special training as a military policeman (MP).

Private John M. Webb (US 52272168) reported to the 503d Military Police Battalion in Fort Bragg, North Carolina where he attended Advanced Individual Training in Military Police Subjects. Advanced Individual Training (AIT) is where soldiers just out of boot camp go to learn their Army profession or trade. Those going to armor units will learn how to drive tank and fire its gun; artillerymen will learn how to load, clear, fire, and maintain a howitzer. Private Webb learned the basics of being an MP. He graduated between mid April and 2 May¹.

Entering Supply

While at Ft. Bragg, the young soldier showed some initiative and helped out in supply. A lot of people join or, as was the case before June 1973, are drafted try to just do enough to stay out of trouble and no more. However, that was not Private John Webb. His company commander requested a waiver of the grade (i.e., rank) requirement for Pvt Webb to receive additional training as a Unit Supply Specialist.

Capt McCrary wrote on 11 April 1953,

“Pvt Webb has been assisting the Supply Sgt. and has displayed outstanding aptitude in grasping supply proceedure [sic]. He is interested in supply and has expressed strong desire to attend supply school and remain in the supply field.

“I feel that Pvt Webb is capable of successfully completing the course and in view of the fact that the present supply Sgt. is being discharged in May of this year it is imperative that a new man be trained.”

So due to his demonstrated aptitude, interest, initiative, and to the fact that the current guy in the job was leaving, John received a waiver and attended the Unit Supply Specialist Course in Fort Jackson, South Carolina (outside Charleston).

Classing Up

Pvt Webb classed up with Class #34 on 27 APR 1953. He graduated on 18 June 1953 finishing fourth in his class of 53 students. He was one of five honor graduates. Most military courses have honor graduates. The award can come with benefits like early advancement to the next paygrade or your pick of duty station. Sometimes courses designate an honor graduate merely out of habit.

Nonetheless, the honor resulted in the company commander in charge of the course writing a letter to Mrs. John M. Webb at 53 Carlisle Hill Chillicothe. The first paragraph described his accomplishment and the second paragraph was appeared tailored to the individual:

“The officers, enlisted instructors and students with whom your husband has come in contact, speak highly of his character and ability. It is gratifying to me to have had a young soldier of the high caliber of your husband as a student in on of my schools, and I feel sure that he will always conduct himself in a commendable manner during his remaining military service an in future civilian life.”

It appears that he returned to his unit at Fort Bragg at this point and remained there for the remainder of his time in the Army. The Korean Armistice Agreement was signed 27 Jul 1953, one month and nine days after Pvt Webb graduated from this third and final school in the U.S. Army. Had the U.S. Army tried to send him to Korea, they would have had to hurry. And even then, with the standard pre-deployment leave, and acclimatization to the theater, it is doubtful if Pvt Webb would have even heard artillery fired in anger.

Discharge

On the 10th day of December 1954 Cpl John M. Webb was honorably discharged from the Army of the United States. Thus, making his service exactly two years in length. His record reflects he earned the National Defense Service Medal, a decoration awarded to all members of the armed services during a time of armed conflict (Korea, Vietnam, the Persian Gulf War, and the Global War on Terror). The requirement is to have served at least one day during the periods specified, and time in boot camp counts.

Conclusion

All in all Cpl John Webb was exactly what every officer wants in a junior enlisted Soldier, Sailor, Airman, or Marine. He was smart, stayed out of trouble, wanted to learn, and wanted to contribute. He did his time and got out. The most exotic place he ever saw was Charleston, South Carolina, and he never went west of the Mississippi. There is nothing dishonorable in that. He went where the Army needed him. In later life, I suppose, he thought it just didn’t make an interesting enough story.

Notes

1. The certificate of training says 2 May, but that isn’t consistent with other documents. It is likely he graduated in April, but he 503d MP Bn was slow on their paperwork.