Pocket Signal Disk

Name/Title

Pocket Signal Disk

Description

A Pocket Signal Disk issued by US Service with semaphore signal codes, including international flag code and special flags and pennants.

Use

These disks were used with the semaphore system in which messages are displayed visually using flags.

Context

Over a year after enlisting in the US Navy, Ensign William "Bill" Grigsby was authorized to fly on March 14, 1944. This approval finally came after both pre-flight school in Athens, Georgia, and flight school at Naval Air Station (NAS) in Pensacola, Florida. After a mission testing experimental G-suits with Air Group Five in Fallon, Nevada, Grigsby transferred to Air Group Twelve and entered the Pacific War. As a member of Fighting-Bombing Squadron 12 assigned to the USS Randolph (CV-15), Ensign Grigsby's F6F Hellcat was among the first of 16 planes to launch an attack against Tokyo. Grigsby’s target, Tokyo's Haneda airport, was successfully bombed. His later missions included ground support at Iwo Jima, a second Tokyo raid, Okinawa ground support, and combat air patrol against kamikaze attacks. Grigsby was demobilized as Lieutenant Junior Grade and discharged on November 5, 1945. His decorations include the Air Medal with clusters, the Distinguished Flying Cross, among other commendations. From the Collection of William Grigsby.

Collection

William Calvin Grigsby, Jr. Collection

Acquisition

Accession

2024.8

Source or Donor

Bernard C. Grigsby

Acquisition Method

Donation

Made/Created

Manufacturer

The Standard Novelty Co.

Date made

circa 1942

Update Date

June 11, 2025