Name/Title
Naval Aviator World War II G-SuitDescription
One piece olive drab G-Suit with front zip, attached air hose, and inflatable pressure pouches starting from the hips and going down the legs. A g-suit, or anti-g suit, is a flight suit worn by aviators and astronauts who are subject to high levels of acceleration force (g). William Grigsby served as a test pilot for this prototype while stationed with Air Group Five in Fallon, Nevada.Use
Issued to naval pilots as part of their uniform later in history, but this particular suit was a prototype.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
DonationMade/Created
Manufacturer
David Clark Co.Date made
circa 1941Label/Inscription/Signature
Type
LabelLocation
Inside back of suitTranscription
SUIT, FLYING, TYPE 2
BU. AERO: U.S. NAVY
DAVID CLARK CO.
CONTRACT #NOa(S)4761
SIZE 38 LONG
30"-32" WAISTLanguage
EnglishMaterial/Technique
LabelType
LabelLocation
Inside right hip of suitTranscription
WASH WITH SOAP AND LUKEWARM
WATER NOT OVER 120 DEGREES F. PLUG
DISCONNECT SECURELY.Language
EnglishMaterial/Technique
LabelUpdate Date
June 12, 2025