Fighter Direction Information

Name/Title

Fighter Direction Information

Scope and Content

This document lays out quick advice and reminders for pilots. Topics include advice on radio usage and pilots' code words such as 'chickens' for US Navy fighters and 'rats' for identified enemy fighters.

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

Update Date

June 12, 2025