Naval Aviator World War II G-Suit

Name/Title

Naval Aviator World War II G-Suit

Description

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. Collection

Acquisition

Accession

2024.8

Source or Donor

Bernard C. Grigsby

Acquisition Method

Donation

Made/Created

Manufacturer

David Clark Co.

Date made

circa 1941

Label/Inscription/Signature

Type

Label

Location

Inside back of suit

Transcription

SUIT, FLYING, TYPE 2 BU. AERO: U.S. NAVY DAVID CLARK CO. CONTRACT #NOa(S)4761 SIZE 38 LONG 30"-32" WAIST

Language

English

Material/Technique

Label

Type

Label

Location

Inside right hip of suit

Transcription

WASH WITH SOAP AND LUKEWARM WATER NOT OVER 120 DEGREES F. PLUG DISCONNECT SECURELY.

Language

English

Material/Technique

Label

Update Date

June 12, 2025