Edwin Webb

ASN:34255290

Edwin Yates Webb registered for the draft on October 16, 1940. Born March 6, 1913 in McAdenvile, North Carolina, he was employed by Stowe Mill Inc., at the time of his registration.

This twenty-seven-year-old was 5’-9”, 132 pounds with a ruddy complexion, blue eyes, and blonde hair. No identifying physical characteristics were listed at the time of his registration.

Private Webb became a member of the Headquarters Battery 319th Glider Field Artillery Battalion, of the 82nd Airborne Division. He trained at Camp Claiborne and Fort Bragg. Webb deployed with the battalion to North Africa arriving in Casablanca May 10, 1943.

PFC Webb completed his glider training in Morrocco, Algeria and Tunisia, North Africa. He fought in the major campaigns of Sicily, Naples-Foggia, Normandy (D-Day) and Holland.

The evening of June 6, 1944, PFC Edwin “Spider” Webb glided into Normandy for the D-Day invasion of France. Senior officer Capt. John Connelly years later wrote, “June 6 – One continuous roar of planes through the night as first elements left for the big jump. We were loaded and waiting by 1830, and took off in British Horsa gliders shortly after. Sgt. Angle, T/4 Bean, Nagorka, Webb, Jones and myself, with jeep and trailer made up load. Landed about 2245 hrs. ½ mile N. of Ste. Mere Eglise and all by ourselves. After getting oriented, headed for town and contacted paratroopers from 505th and 80th AA.”

On September 18, 1944, PFC Edwin Webb glided into combat during the Holland campaign with the Headquarters Battery of the 319th Glider Field Artillery Battalion. His CG-4A glider overshot the landing zone and crashed behind enemy lines near Zyfflich, Germany. Riding in the same glider with PFC Casmer Nagorka, both men were seriously injured and taken prisoner. Also present was Capt. John Connelly who years later wrote, “Sept. 18 – left (England) in CG4’s at 1135 hours for vicinity of Nijmegen (Holland). Landed several miles off LZ in strongly held enemy territory (at 1445), and new heavy flak and A.A. fire. Pilot killed on landing. Webb & Nagorka both wounded and taken prisoner. Our glider, with jeep in it burned right after getting out of it. By some stroke of luck, I hid out until dark and made my way back to where the Bn. had all landed in good shape, except the few gliders that landed where ours did. Personnel in Major Silvey’s glider were the only others beside myself that got back out of 7 gliders, landed between Wyler & Zyfflich.”

On May 5, 1945, PFC Edwin Webb returned to the battalion following his liberation from a German Prisoner of War Camp (Schwerin).

His service was awarded with the Good Conduct Medal, Distinguished Merit Badge, European/African Middle Eastern Service Medal, Bronze Service Arrowhead, 4 Bronze Service Stars, French Fourragere of the Croix De Guerre, Militaire Willems-Orde Lanyard, Glider Badge, Purple Heart Medal, Prisoner of War Medal and the World War II Victory Medal.

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