Name/Title
Inflatable Life PreserverDescription
Yellow, inflatable life vest with a rounded neck hole at the top and straps at the bottom to secure the vest to the legs and pelvis. "Grigsby" is written across the stomach in black print. "Bill" is written to the left side of the neck hole in green print.Use
Issued to naval pilots in case of emergency.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. CollectionAcquisition
Accession
2024.8Source or Donor
Bernard C. GrigsbyAcquisition Method
DonationInscription/Signature/Marks
Type
LabelLocation
Stomach of life vestTranscription
GRIGSBYLanguage
EnglishMaterial/Technique
StampedType
SignatureLocation
Left side of neck holeTranscription
BILLLanguage
EnglishMaterial/Technique
InkUpdate Date
June 12, 2025
