Although he was born in Virginia, Col. Hebb spent the greater part of his early life in California from which State he received his appointment as a cadet at the Naval Academy. He was a member of the graduating class of 1855. At the outbreak of hostilities between the Union and the Confederacy he was ordered to Fort Washington, on the Potomac, in order to prevent the enemy from seizing that important position. A little later in the same year his rank was raised to that of first lieutenant, and he was assigned for duty upon the frigate Sumpter, which was one of the vessels constituting the West Gulf Blockading Squadron. In this position he was responsible for capturing several important blockade runners.

After the war Col. Hebb served in high ranking positions at stations such as Mare Island and Boston Navy Yards. In 1891 he was appointed Commandant of the Marine Barracks at Washington. He served until his retirement in 1892.