| Naval Aviation Pilots The United States Coast Guard, Navy and Marine Corps began training enlisted men to pilot aircraft prior to World War I. Whereas a commissioned officer is titled naval aviator, an enlisted pilot is a naval aviation pilot (NAP). Congress in the late 1920s directs the Navy and Marine Corps to maintain thirty percent enlisted pilots. But the goal is difficult to reach or maintain and is soon dropped in the pre-World War II years. The Coast Guard is never subject to the enlisted pilot quota requirement. Over eighty percent of Coast Guard NAPs receive their wings during the forty-four months of World War II. Many NAPs accept officer commissions reducing the number of NAPs. In 1948 the Navy eliminates all enlisted pilot training. The last USCG NAP on active duty is ADCM John P. Greathouse, who retires in 1979. The list of Coast Guard NAPs is from the Silver Eagles Association roster and is not perfect. Please direct corrections or additions with documentation or explanation as necessary. Send to mailbuoy at this domain. A more detailed history and listing of all NAPs is available here. |
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