United States Army. United States Signal Corps

Identity area

Type of entity

Corporate body

Authorized form of name

United States Army. United States Signal Corps

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        Description area

        Dates of existence

        1860-

        History

        The Signal Corps is a branch of the United States Army responsible for the development and management of all telecommunication and information systems. The Signal Corps began in 1860, with the appointment of Dr. Albert J. Myer, a physician, as Chief Signal Officer. Under his command, the unit transformed sign language used to communicate with deaf persons into a semaphore system incorporating red and white “wigwag” flags. During the civil war, the Signal Corps operated air balloons and telegraph machines. Initially, because of their experience using observation balloons, the Corps was given jurisdiction over the development of military aircraft, and prior to the establishment of the Air Corps as a Separate army branch, purchased the first US Army Aircraft in 1908

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        Status

        Final

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        Language(s)

        • English

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          Sources

          Amicus

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