Kenneth H. Webb, 76, died Dec. 3, 2011 while traveling with his wife Jeanie in Yuma, Ariz.
He was born in Los Angeles to Lee and Myrtle Webb. He attended Oakdale schools and graduated from Oakdale High School in 1953. He earned an Associate’s degree from Modesto Junior College. While there he served in the Naval Reserves. He later earned a Bachelor’s degree from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey.
He entered the Navy through the Naval Cadet program in 1955 and received his wings March 1, 1957. His first assignment as a naval aviator took him to Attack Squadron 63 at NAS Alameda where he flew the FJ4-B Fury, during which time he made two deployments to the Western Pacific on the USS Midway.
In 1960 he reported to Attack Squadron 125 where he instructed in the A-4 Skyhawk. In 1963 following six months of training at the Naval Electronics Laboratory in San Diego. Captain Webb’s next billet was aboard the Command Ship USS Wright as a computer programmer.
Upon completion of the 10-week Naval Aerospace Safety course at the University of Southern California in early 1965, he reported to Attack Squadron 86, where, in the ensuing three-and-a-half years he served as squadron administrative officer, safety officer, and maintenance officer. Flying the A4-E, he made a combat cruise to Vietnam in 1965 aboard the USS Independence followed by a Mediterranean cruise in 1966 aboard the same ship.
In 1968, Captain Webb made another combat cruise to the Western Pacific on the USS America this time flying the A7-A aircraft to which VA-86 had recently transitioned. After a three year tour at the Naval Safety Center in Norfolk, Va. where he was assigned as an aircraft accident investigator, he reported to advanced training Squadron VT-4 in Pensacola, Fla. as executive officer in July 1973. He commanded VT-4 from July 1974 – July 1975.
From July 1975 – Sept. 1977 he served a Commanding officer Navy Recruiting District Seattle. He spent the remainder of his Navy career at the Navy Inspector General’s Office in Washington, D.C.
He served 28 years as a naval officer, retiring in 1980 as Captain. He was the recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross, 13 Air Medals, and four Navy commendation medals with Combat-V, in addition to various campaign medals.
Following retirement from the Navy, he was employed by E.G.&G. Services as their West Coast Regional Director in Los Angeles, then as Real Property Director for the Continental U.S.
He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Jeanie; children, Brian, Kelly, and Robin Mellody; and three grandsons.
Remembrances may be made in his memory to the American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, or the American Diabetes Association.
A celebration of life was held Dec. 20, 2011 at Sunset Hills Funeral Home, Bellevue, Wash. Interment will be held on Friday, May 4, 2012 at Arlington National Cemetery.
