AN  EARLY  ENLISTED  NAVAL  AVIATION  PILOT

Historical records reflect that as early as 1912, enlisted personnel were manning the controls of aircraft during the early development of naval aviation.  However, it was not until 1920 that the Navy inaugurated the first program for enlisted personnel to become Naval Aviation Pilots (NAP).  In January 1929, Congress even legislated there be a 30-percent ratio between enlisted and officer pilots, but the rarity of enlisted pilots remained a problem for those trying to fill operational billets on ships. 

On July 2, 1929, George W. Webber enlisted in the Navy and was among a group of enlisted recruits to enter the NAP program to become pilots.  Records reflect Webber graduated from Class 51-31 and was ordered to Scouting Squadron Three (VS-3) aboard the carrier USS Lexington (CV-2).  He reported aboard with the rate of Seaman Second Class and because of a shortage of bunking facilities, he was given a cot on deck for sleeping.  In addition, because of his S2 rating he was assigned to mess cooking.  Soon his fellow mess cooks were skeptical about the audacity of their fellow mess cook and advised him that wearing wings and impersonating a pilot would get him into trouble.  Webber solved the problem with his mess mates by inviting them topside to watch one of his flights and the harassment ceased.  When the ship’s Commanding Officer learned that a pilot was mess cooking, Webber’s collateral duty as a mess cook quickly ended.

Webber continued his assignment as a naval aviator and records reflect that during World War II he was assigned as a Chief Aviation Pilot with Patrol Squadron 102 in the Philippines.  He also flew operations in defense of Dutch East Indies during the war for which he was awarded the Netherlands Vieking Kriss Medal.  During the war, Webber was commission and remained on active duty until retiring on October 1, 1959, with the rank of Commander.  During his service he reportedly accumulated 7,315 flight hours, made 114 carrier landings, and qualified in a number of multi-engine aircraft.  CDR George W. Webber died on June 25, 1998, and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

Submitted by CDR Roy A. Mosteller, USNR (Ret)