Aviation Machinist 2nd Class Ira Bewley was a TBF Avenger Turret Gunner in VT-31, a squadron stationed aboard the USS Cabot during the Pacific Theater of WWII. His highly decorated squadron and crew participated in some of the heaviest naval aviation fighting of Pacific Theater during the war participating in attacks on Saipan, Tinian, Truk Lagoon, New Guinea, Iwo Jima, Chi Chi Jima as well as the First Battle of the Philippine Sea where they were credited for heavily damaging a Japanese aircraft carrier.