The United States Navy fighter squadron VF-101, the Grim Reapers, began life as VF-10 in June of 1942. The new F4F Wildcat squadron was formed by Lieutenant Commander Jimmy Flatley in San Diego, California and evolved into the famous "Mowing Machine" that was the only fighter squadron in World War II to fly the F4FWildcat, the F6F Hellcat, and the F4U Corsair. The squadron motto of "Mow 'em down!" served VF-10 well as they fought out the war in the Pacific Theater flying from bases in the Solomons and from various aircraft carriers. When VF-10 was formed, LtCmdr Flatley had just returned from the Battle of Coral Sea with two kills and the Navy Cross. LtCmdr Flatley, along with LtCmdr Jimmy Thach, was considered a master of fighter tactics. On his way to San Diego, Flatley wrote a comprehensive fighter doctrine for his new squadron. That new doctrine and Flatley's superb leadership were a highly successful combination against the much more maneuverable Japanese Zeros.

The Reapers' first combat deployment saw them flying F4F Wildcats from the USS Enterprise in October 1942. VF-10 arrived in time for the Battle of Santa Cruz, a carrier vs. carrier fight to protect US forces in Guadalcanal. Shortly after, Flatley was promoted to Commander, Air Group 10. When Commander Flatley left the Reapers he reminded them to never forget their lost brothers and told them that when they engaged the enemy to "rip 'em up and down, but do it smartly." VF-10 finished their first deployment in 1942.

VF-10 returned to combat in 1944 aboard the USS Enterprise as part of Task Force 58; a nine aircraft carrier force. The Reapers were now led by LtCmdr William "Killer" Kane and flew the F6F Hellcat while flying missions over the Japanese stronghold of Truk. During VF-10's first mission over Truk on 16 February 1945, the Reapers shot down fourteen aircraft and destroyed another seventeen on the ground. "Killer" and his wingman accounted for five of the kills themselves. In the period between February and April, VF-10 helped reduce the number of Japanese warplanes on Truk from over 350 to less than a dozen. Task Force 58 and the Reapers continued to sail deeper into Japanese held waters and right into the Marianas Turkey Shoot. The squadron finished it's second cruise shortly thereafter.

The Reapers rejoined the fight in March 1945 and flew F4U Corsairs from the USS Intrepid as part of Task Force 58 again. The squadron flew missions over Japan and Okinawa but spent April and May defending the fleet from the swarms of kamikaze attacks. The Reapers had their best day ever on 16 April when they downed thirty-two planes. LtJG Phil Kirkwood's division shot down twenty aircraft in one mission. The Ace of Kirkwood's division, Ensign Alfred Lerch, splashed six Ki-27 Nates and one D3A Val in one sortie. In a span of thirty-four days, VF-10 racked up eighty-five kills to one Reaper lost.

Unfortunately all I can find are cockpit shots with various pilots.  Nothing that shows "Moe" on the cowl.  I live in San Diego (big Navy town) and talking to lots of vets they tell that "Moe" was there.  VF-10 became VF-101 and was the training squadron for the Tomcats, they have "Moe" on the vertical stab.  I haven't heard any vets say anything about "Moe" being anywhere except the cowl.

As I said before, this doesn't represent any individual's specific plane.  It is meant as a representation of VF-10.
I did some further research and it appears that the Navy at that time placed on the nose cowl, the number of the plane.