United States Naval Air Corps
Encyclopedia
The United States Naval Air Corps was a term denoting the portion of the United States Navy
made up of United States Naval Aviator
s. The term was especially in use before and during World War II
.
Unlike the United States Army Air Corps
(later United States Army Air Forces
), the Naval Air Corps had no organizational structure. Administratively, naval aviation was the responsibility of the Bureau of Aeronautics
, formed in 1921. From 1943 on, there was also a Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for aviation.
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
made up of United States Naval Aviator
United States Naval Aviator
A United States Naval Aviator is a qualified pilot in the United States Navy, Marine Corps or Coast Guard.-Naming Conventions:Most Naval Aviators are Unrestricted Line Officers; however, a small number of Limited Duty Officers and Chief Warrant Officers are also trained as Naval Aviators.Until 1981...
s. The term was especially in use before and during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
Unlike the United States Army Air Corps
United States Army Air Corps
The United States Army Air Corps was a forerunner of the United States Air Force. Renamed from the Air Service on 2 July 1926, it was part of the United States Army and the predecessor of the United States Army Air Forces , established in 1941...
(later United States Army Air Forces
United States Army Air Forces
The United States Army Air Forces was the military aviation arm of the United States of America during and immediately after World War II, and the direct predecessor of the United States Air Force....
), the Naval Air Corps had no organizational structure. Administratively, naval aviation was the responsibility of the Bureau of Aeronautics
Bureau of Aeronautics
The Bureau of Aeronautics was the U.S. Navy's material-support organization for Naval Aviation from 1921 to 1959. The bureau had "cognizance" for the design, procurement, and support of Naval aircraft and related systems...
, formed in 1921. From 1943 on, there was also a Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for aviation.