U.S. Navy Abbreviations of World War II

[David]

--A--

A -- Acting (following Navy Chief's rating); e.g., CAOMA (Chief Aviation Ordnanceman Acting)
A -- Air
A -- Allied Aviation Corporation (manufacturer's symbol)
A -- Amphibious plane (suffix to plane designation) as: PBY-6A
A -- Army
A -- Arresting Gear (suffix to plane designation) as: SOC-3A
A -- Asiatic
A -- Auxiliary
"A" -- 3-drum, express type (boiler)
A -- Brewster Aeronautical Corporation (manufacturer's symbol)
A -- Noorduyn Aviation, Ltd. (manufacturer's symbol)
A -- Plane built for Army Air Forces (suffix to plane designation) as: SBD-3A
A -- USNR officer designation for General Service, Aviation Non-flying. Formerly (A)
A1 -- USNR officer designation for General Service, Heavier than Air Pilot. Formerly A-VN and (A1)
A2 -- USNR officer designation for General Service, lighter than Air Pilot. Formerly (A2) and A-VN.
A2 -- Command Staff Intelligence Office (USMC)
A-2 -- Air Intelligence (War Department)
A3 -- USNR officer designation for General Service, Heavier than Air Pilot. Formerly (A3) and A-VG
A4 -- USNR officer designation for General Service, Lighter than Air Pilot. Formerly (A4) and A-VG
A5 -- USNR officer designation for General Service, Heavier than Air Pilot. Formerly (A5) and A-VT
A6 -- USNR officer designation for General Service, Lighter than Air Pilot. Formerly (A6) and A-VT
AA -- Acting Appointment
A/a -- Analysis of accounts
AA or A/A -- Anti-Aircraft
AA -- Arlington Annex (Navy Department)
AA -- Auxiliary Ships
AA-1 -- Normal Top Priority
AA-2 -- Next highest degree of priority
AA-3 -- " " " "
AA-4 -- " " " "
AAA -- Anti-Aircraft Artillery
AAA -- Emergency top priority rating for individual items of extreme urgency
AA&A -- Armor, Armament and Ammunition (cf. IRNV)
AAAIS -- Anti-Aircraft Artillery Intelligence Service (Army)
AAB -- Aircraft Accident Board
AA/B -- Anti-Aircraft Balloon
AAC -- Anti-Aircraft Common
AACS -- Army Airways Communications System
AAE -- Army Aviation Engineers
AAF -- Army Air Forces
AAFIS -- Army Air Forces Intelligence School
AAFMTO -- Army Air Force headquarters, Mediterranean Theater of Operations
AAFPOA -- Army Air Forces, Pacific ocean Areas
AAFPOAAdmin -- Army Air Forces, pacific Ocean Areas (Administrative)
AAHA -- Awaiting Action of Higher Authority
AAHQ -- Allied Air Headquarters
AAI -- Allied Armies in Italy
AAIC -- Allied Air Intelligence Center
AAMG -- Anti-Aircraft Machine Gun
AAPIU -- Allied Aerial Photographic Interpretation Unit
AAQM -- Acting Assistance Quartermaster (USMC)
AAR -- Aircraft Accident Record
AATB -- Advanced Amphibious Training Base
AATC -- Anti-Aircraft Training Center
AATraCen -- Anti-Aircraft Training Center
AAT&TC -- Anti-Aircraft Training & Test Center
AB -- Aerial burst bombs
AB or A/B -- Air Base
ABOne -- Air Bases Command, 1st Naval District
AB -- Air Bomber
AB or A/B -- Airborne
AB -- Archivist
AB -- Artist
AB -- Ballistic and Test Firing Expert
AB -- Crane Ship
ABATU -- Advanced Base Aviation Training Unit
ABC -- American, British, Canadian Plans
ABC-1 -- Report of the Combined British, Canadian and United States Staff Conversations
ABCA -- Army Bureau of Current Affairs (GB)
ABCCTC -- Advanced Base Combat Communication Training Center (Pearl Harbor)
ABCD -- Advanced Base Construction Depot
ABD -- Admiralty Berthing Officer
ABD -- Advanced Base Depot
ABD -- Advanced Base Dock
ABDA -- American-British-Dutch-Australian Command (1942)
ABDACOM -- Advanced Base Depot Area Command
ABDACOM -- American-British-Dutch-Australian Supreme Command (1942)
ABDAFLOAT -- American-British-Dutch-Australian Naval Operational Command (1942)
ABDAIR -- American-British-Dutch-Australian Air Operational Command (1942)
ABDARM -- American-British-Dutch-Australian Army Operational Command (1942)
ABF -- Aircraft Battle Force
ABG -- Air Base Group
Able -- "A" in the phonetic alphabet
Able -- Term used by shorebased ADCC'S for "experimental" or "calibration"
ABM -- Aviation Boatswain's Mate
ABMAG -- Aviation Boatswain's Mate, Arresting Gear and Barriers
ABMCP -- Aviation Boatswain's Mate, Catapult
ABMGA -- Aviation Boatswain's Mate, Gasoline System
ABMPH -- Aviation Boatswain's Mate, Plane Handler
ABQ -- Admiralty Berthing Officer (GB)
A-bomb -- Atom bomb
ABP -- Auxiliary Barracks Ship
ABPA -- Advanced Base Personnel Administration
ABPG -- Advanced Base Proving Ground
ABPO -- Advanced Base Personnel Officer
ABPU -- Advanced Base Personnel Unit
ABR -- Amphibian Boat Reconnaissance Aircraft
ABRB -- Advanced Base Receiving Barracks
ABRD -- Advanced Base Repair Depot
ABRD -- Advanced Base Reshipment Depot
ABSD -- Advanced Base Sectional Dock
ABSD -- Advanced Base Supply Depot
ABTF -- Airborne Task Force
ABTU -- Advanced Base Torpedo Unit
ABTU -- Advanced Base Training Unit
ABTU -- Air Bombers Training Unit
A/c -- Accounts
AC (number) -- Admiral Commanding (number) Aircraft Carrier Squadron
AC -- Air Corps
A/C -- Aircraft
A-C -- Allis Chalmers (ship engines)
AC -- Alternating Current
AC -- Amphibious Corps
AC -- Collier
AC -- Symbol for hydrocyanic acid
AC&W -- Air Communications and Weather (Group)
ACA -- American Communication Association
ACA -- Physically on board awaiting cobat assignment
ACAC -- Allied Container Advisory Committee
ACAF -- Amphibious Corps, Atlantic Fleet
ACAS(1) -- Assistant Chief of Staff, War Department (US) (Intelligence)
ACBMAG -- Aviation Chief Boatswain's Mate, Arresting Gear and Barriers
ACBMCP -- Aviation Chief Boatswain's Mate, Catapult
ACBMGA -- Aviation Chief Boatswain's Mate, Gasoline System
ACBMPH -- Aviation Chief Boatswain's Mate, Plane Handler
ACC -- Air Center Commander
ACC -- Allied Control Commission (Italy)
ACD -- Admiralty Chart Depot (GB)
#ACDU -- Active Duty
ACEM -- Aciation Chief Electrician's Mate
ACEORP -- Automotive and Construction Equipment Overhaul and Repair Plant
ACEPD -- Automotive and Construction Equipment Part Depot
ACFC -- Aviation Chief Fire Controlman
ACG -- Airborne Coordinating Group
ACGM -- Aircraft Carrier General memorandum
ACI -- Air Combat Intelligence
ACIC -- Allied Captured Intelligence Center (US & GB)
ACIC -- Auxiliary Combat Information Center
#ACINS -- Active duty under instruction
ACIO -- Air Combat Intelligence Office(r)
ACK -- Acknowledge
ACk -- Assistant Cook
ACM -- Auxiliary Mine Layer
ACM -- Aviation Chief Metalsmith
ACMF -- Air Corps Medical Forces
ACMF -- Allied Central Mediterranean Forces
ACMM -- Aviation Chief Machinist's Mate
ACMMC -- Aviation Chief Machinist's Mate, Carburetor Mechanic
ACMMF -- Aviation Chief Machinist's Mate, Flight Engineer
ACMMH -- Aviation Chief Machinist's Mate, Hydraulic Mechanic
ACMMI -- Aviation Chief Machinist's Mate, Instrument Mechanic
ACMMP -- Aviation Chief Machinist's Mate, Propellor Mechanic
ACMMT -- Aviation Chief Machinist's Mate, Gas Turbine Mechanic
ACNB -- Australian Commonwealth Naval Board
ACNO -- Assistant Chief of Naval Operations
ACNO(T) -- Assistant Chief of Naval Operations (Transportation)
ACofS -- Assistant Chief of Staff (Army)
ACOM -- Aviation Chief Ordnanceman
ACOMT -- Aviation Chief Ordnanceman, Turret Mechanic
Acorn -- An airfield assembly designed to construct, operate and maintain an advanced landplane and seaplane base and provide facilities for operations
ACP -- Admiralty Civil Police (GB)
ACPF -- Amphibious Corps, Pacific Fleet (USMC)
ACR -- Aircraft Control Room
ACRM -- Aviation Chief Radioman
ACRT -- Aviation Chief Radio Technician
ACS -- Alaskan Communications System
ACSEA -- Air Command, Southeast Asia
*ACT -- Acting
ACT -- Action
ACT -- Aviation Classification Test
ACTG -- Advance Carrier Training Group
ACT/IC -- Active-In Commission (vessel status)
ACT/IS -- Active-In Service (vessel status)
ACT/OC -- Active-Out of Commission (vessel status)
ACT/OS -- Active-Out of Service (vessel status)
ACTPC -- Acting Pay Clerk
ACTREP -- Activities Report (shipping)
ActSecNav -- Acting Secretary of the Navy
ACTY -- Activity
ACV -- Aircraft Carrier, Escort (GB)
ACV -- Auxiliary Aircraft Carrier or Tender
AD -- Active Duty
AD -- Air Depot
A/D -- Airdrome
AD -- Destroyer Tender
AD -- USNR officer designation. See A and D. Formerly (AD).
A1D -- USNR officer designation. Same as A1, plus qualified in deck duties. Formerly (A1D).
A2D -- USNR officer designation. Same as A2 and D. Formerly (A2D).
A3D -- USNR officer designation. Same as A3 and D. Formerly (A3D).
A4D -- USNR officer designation. Same as A4 and D. Formerly (A4D).
A5D -- USNR officer designation. Same as A6t plus qualified in deck duties. Formerly (A5D).
A6D -- USNR officer designation. A6 plus qualified in deck duties. Formerly (A6D).
A-Day -- Day on which atom bomb was tested at Bikini (Operation Crossroads), 1 July 1946
ADC -- Aide-de-camp (Army)
#ADCASHAL -- Advance men cash allowance for quarters and subsistence in accordance with current Bureau of Naval personnel Circular Letter
ADCC -- Air Defense Control Center
AdCom or AdComd -- Administrative Command
AdCominPac -- Administrative Command, Minecraft, Pacific Fleet
AdComPhibsPac -- Administrative Command, Amphibious Forces, Pacific Fleet
AdComSubordComPhibsPac -- Administrative Command, Amphibious Forces, Pacific Fleet, Subordinate Command
ADCON -- Advise all concerned
ADDL -- Aircraft Dummy Deck Landing
ADEE -- Addressee
AdIntelCen -- Advanced Intelligence Center
Adj -- Adjutant (Army)
ADLS -- Air Dispatch Letter Service
Adm -- Administrative
Adm -- Admiral
ADMIN -- Administration, Administrative
ADMLTY -- Admiralty (GB)
AdmO -- Administrative Officer (Army)
AdmO -- Administrative Order (Army)
ADN -- USNR officer designation. See A, D and N. Formerly (AD)-N.
A1DN -- USNR officer designation. See A1D and N. Formerly (A1D)-N.
A2DN -- USNR officer designation. See A2D and N. Formerly (A2D)-N.
A3DN -- USNR officer designation. See A3D and N. Formerly (A3D)-N.
A4DN -- USNR officer designation. See A4D and N. Formerly (A4D)-N.
A5DN -- USNR officer designation. See A5D and N. Formerly (A5D)-N.
A6DN -- USNR officer designation. See A6D and N. Formerly (A6D)-N.
ADP -- Air Defense Position
ADR -- Aircraft Direction Room
ADR -- USNR officer designation. See A, D and R. Formerly (AD)-R.
A1DR -- USNR officer designation. See A1D and R. Formerly (A1D)-R.
A2DR -- USNR officer designation. See A2D and R. Formerly (A2D)-R.
A3DR -- USNR officer designation. See A3D and R. Formerly (A3D)-R.
A4DR -- USNR officer designation. See A4D and R. Formerly (A4D)-R.
A5DR -- USNR officer designation. See A5D and R. Formerly (A5D)-R.
A6DR -- USNR officer designation. See A6D and R. Formerly (A6D)-R.
ADRDE -- Air Defense Research and Development Establishment
ADroBn -- Airdrome Battalion
ADT -- USNR officer designation. See A, D and T. Formerly (AD)-T.
A1DT -- USNR officer designation. See A1D and T. Formerly (A1D)-T.
A2DT -- USNR officer designation. See A2D and T. Formerly (A2D)-T.
A3DT -- USNR officer designation. See A3D and T. Formerly (A3D)-T.
A4DT -- USNR officer designation. See A4D and T. Formerly (A4D)-T.
A5DT -- USNR officer designation. See A5D and T. Formerly (A5D)-T.
A6DT -- USNR officer designation. See A6D and T. Formerly (A6D)-T.
*ADU -- Aircraft Delivery Unit
*ADV -- Advance(d)
AdvHed -- Advanced Headquarters
AdvIntelCen -- Advanced Intelligence Center
Advon -- Advanced Echelon (USMC)
ADX -- USNR officer designation. See A, D and X. Formerly (AD)-X.
A1DX -- USNR officer designation. See A1D and X. Formerly (A1D)-X.
A2DX -- USNR officer designation. See A2D and X. Formerly (A2D)-X.
A3DX -- USNR officer designation. See A3D and X. Formerly (A3D)-X.
A4DX -- USNR officer designation. See A4D and X. Formerly (A4D)-X.
A5DX -- USNR officer designation. See A5D and X. Formerly (A5D)-X.
A6DX -- USNR officer designation. See A6D and X. Formerly (A6D)-X.
AE -- Ammunition Ship
AEAF -- Allied Expeditionary Air Force
AEDO -- USN officer designation; Aviation Engineering Duty
AEF -- American Expeditionary Forces (Army)
AE-# -- "Grasshopper"; single-engine Navy Utility plane (VJ), manufactured by Piper
AEI -- Acrylic Eye Illustrator (Medical)
AEL -- Aeronautical Engine Laboratory
AEM -- Aviation Electrician's Mate
AEngrServ -- Army Engineer Service
AEO -- Air Engineer Officer
AEOB -- Advanced Engine Overhaul Base
AER -- Aerographer
*AER -- Aeronautics
AERM -- Aerographher's Mate
AERO -- Aerographer
Aero -- Aerological
AerOf -- Aerological Officer
AEROG -- Aerologist
AETAC -- Aviation Electronic Technician's Mate, Combat Aircrewman
AETM -- Aviation Electronic Technician's Mate
AEW -- Airborne Early Warning (Radar)
AEWTU -- Airborne Early Warning Training Unit
AExServ -- Army Exchange Service
AF -- Air Force
AF -- Army Force
AF -- Asiatic Fleet
AF -- Audio Frequency
AF -- Automatic Following (radar)
AF -- Provision Storeship
AFAF -- Amphibious Force Atlantic Fleet
AFC -- Aviation Fire Controlman
AFCE -- Automatic Flight Control Equipment
AFD -- Mobile Floating Drydock
AFDB -- Auxiliary Floating Drydock, Big
AFDL -- Auxiliary Floating Drydock, Little
AFDL(C) -- Auxiliary Floating Drydock, Little, Concrete
AFDM -- Auxiliary Floating Drydock, Medium
AFDO -- Assistant Fighter Director Office
AFDS -- Auxiliary Fighter Director Ship
AF(F)MMIU -- Amphibious Forces Ordnance Material mobile Instruction Unit
AFGIS -- Aerial Free Gunnery Instruction School(s)
AFGU -- Aerial Free Gunnery Unit
AFHQ -- African Force Headquarters
AFHQ -- Allied Force Headquarters (US & GB)
AFHQ(CIC) -- Allied Force Headquarters (Counter Intelligence Corps)
AFHQPS -- Allied Force Headquarters Petroleum Section
AFI -- Armed Forces Institute (US)
AFL -- American Federation of Labor
AFMFP -- Aircraft Fleet Marine Force Pacific
AFO -- Admiralty Fleet Order (GB)
AFO -- Atlantic Fleet Organization
AFRS -- Armed Forces Radio Service
AFSU -- Auxiliary Ferry Service Unit
AFSub -- Army Air Forces Anti-Submarine Command
AFSWA -- Assistant Secretary of War for Air
AFV -- Armored Fighting Vehicle (USMC)
AFWesPac -- U.S. Army Forces, Western Pacific
AG -- Adjutant General (Army)
AG -- Air Group
AG -- Armed Guard
AG -- Arresting Gear and Barriers
AG -- Miscellaneous Auxiliary (ship)
AGas -- Aviation Gasoline
AGC -- Armed Guard Center
AGC -- General Communications Vessel (1943); Amphibious Force Flagship equipped with special communication facilities (1945)
AGCTS -- Armed Guard Center Training School
AGD -- Adjutant General's Department (Army)
AGD -- Seagoing Dredge
AGE -- Admiralty Gunnery Establishment
AGF -- Army Ground Forces
AGFRTS -- Air and Ground Forces Resources and Technical Staff (Army)
AGIO -- Armed Guard Inspection Officer
AGIS -- Armed Guard Inspection Service
AGL -- Lighthouse Tender
AGLO -- Air Ground Liaison Officer (USMC)
AGN -- Articles for the Government of the Navy
AGO -- Adjutant General's Office (Army)
AGO -- Air Gunnery Officer
AGOS -- Aviation Gunnery Officers School
AGP -- Motor Torpedo Boat Tender
AGS -- Allied Geographic Section (SWPac)
AGS -- Armed Guard School(s)
AGS -- Surveying Ship
AGSc -- Surveying Ship (Coastal)
AGWAR -- Adjutant General, War Department
AH -- Hospital Ship
AHQ -- Air Headquarters
AHQ -- Army Headquarters
AI -- Airborne Intercept Radar
AI -- Air Intelligence (Royal Air Force)
A&I -- Alteration and Improvement Program
AIC -- Advanced Intelligence Center
AIC -- Allied Intelligence Committee (London)
AIC -- Army Industrial College
AICO -- Action Information Control Officer
AICPOA -- Advanced Intelligence Center, Pacific Ocean Areas
AIF -- Air Intelligence Force
AIF -- Amphibian Imperial Forces
AIFS -- Advanced Instruction Flying School
AIG -- Address Indicating Group (GB)
AIL -- Aviation Instrument Laboratory
AINO -- Assistant Inspector of Naval Ordnance
AIntSec -- Air Intelligence Section (Army)
AIO -- Action Information Organization
AIO -- Allied Interrogating Organization (US & GB)
*AIR -- Aircraft
AirAF -- Aircraft, Asiatic Fleet
AirArmUnit -- Aircraft, Armament Unit
AirASDevLant -- Aircraft Anti-Submarine Development Detachment, Atlantic Fleet
*AIRB -- Airborne
AirBaseCom -- Air Base Commander
AirBatForPac -- Aircraft Battle Force, Pacific Fleet
AirDefCom -- Air Defense Commander
AirElO -- Air Electrical Officer
AirEngPropAccOverhaul -- Airplane Engine, Propellor and Accessory Overhaul
AirEO -- Air Engineer Officer
AirEvacWing -- Air Evacuation Wing
AirFerons -- Naval Air Ferry Squadrons
AirFMFPac -- Aircraft, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific
AirForward -- Shore-based Air Force, Forward Area, Central Pacific
AirGrp -- Air Group
AirIS -- Air Store Issuing Ship
AirLant -- Air Forces, Atlantic Fleet
AirMG -- Aircraft, machine Gunner
AirNorSols -- Aircraft, Northern Solomons
AirOps -- Air Operations
AirPac -- Air Forces, Pacific Fleet
AirPac(Adv) -- Air Forces Pacific Advanced (later ComFairWesPac)
AirPac(Pearl) -- Air Forces Pacific, Pearl Harbor
AirPacSubComFord -- Air Forces Subordinate Command, Forward Area
AirScoForPac -- Aircraft Scouting Force, Pacific Fleet
AirshipGr -- Airship Group
AirshipRon -- Airship Squadron
AirSoPac -- Aircraft, South Pacific Force
AirSoWesPac -- Aircraft, Southwest Pacific Force
AirTrainRon -- Air Training Squadron
AirTransRon -- Air Transport Squadron
AirTransRonLant -- Air Transport Squadrons, Atlantic
AirTransRonPac -- Air Transport Squadron, Pacific
AirTransRonWestCoast -- Air Transport Squadron, West Coast
AIS -- Air Intelligence Service
AITC -- Action Information Training Center
A/J -- Anti-Jamming (radar)
AK -- Cargo Ship, auxiliary (cargo ship of any type operated by the Navy)
AKA -- Cargo Ship, Attack
AKD -- Deep Hold Cargo Ship
AKF -- Refrigerated Cargo Ship (1943)
AKN -- Net Cargo Ship
AKS -- General Stores Issue Ship
AKV -- Cargo Ship and Aircraft Ferry
AL or A/L -- Air Liaison
AL -- Alameda, California
*AL -- Alaska
AL -- Lightship
AL -- USNR officer designation. Limited General Service, Aviation non-flying Duties. Formerly (A)L.
A1L -- USNR officer designation. Limited General Service, Heavier than Air Pilot. Formerly A-VN.
A2L -- USNR officer designation. Limited General Service, Lighter than Air Pilot. Formerly (A2)L and A-VN.
A3L -- USNR officer designation. Limited General Service, Heavier than Air Pilot. Formerly (A3)L and A-VG.
A4L -- USNR officer designation. Limited General Service, Lighter than Air Pilot. Formerly (A4)L and A-VG.
A5L -- USNR officer designation. Limited General Service, Lighter than Air Pilot. Formerly (A5)L and A-VT.
A6L -- USNR officer designation. Limited General Service, Lighter than Air Pilot. Formerly (A6)L and A-VT.
ALA -- Alabama
ALAMCABCO -- All American Cable Company
*ALAS -- Alaska
AlaskanDept -- Commanding General, Alaskan Department
AlBus -- All Bureaus
Alco -- American Locomotive Company
AlCom -- A dispatch to all commands in an area
ALLOW -- Allowance(s)
ALN -- USNR officer designation. Se AL and N. Formerly (A)L-N.
A1LN -- USNR officer designation. Se A1L and N. Formerly (A1)L-N.
A2LN -- USNR officer designation. Se A2L and N. Formerly (A2)L-N.
A3LN -- USNR officer designation. Se A3L and N. Formerly (A3)L-N.
A4LN -- USNR officer designation. Se A4L and N. Formerly (A4)L-N.
A5LN -- USNR officer designation. Se A5L and N. Formerly (A5)L-N.
A6LN -- USNR officer designation. Se A6L and N. Formerly (A6)L-N.
AlNav -- Communication directed to all Navy and Marine Corps activities
AlNavSta -- Letter to all Naval Stations
ALO -- Air Liaison Officer (USMC)
ALO -- Allied Liaison Office
ALO -- American Liaison Office
ALO -- Army Liaison Officer
ALOS -- Mission of Army G-2 to investigate German scientific development
ALOT -- Allotment
ALP -- Air Liaison Party
A1Pac -- A dispatch to all commands and personnel in the Pacific Ocean Areas
A1Pac -- A dispatch to all Army, Navy and Marine Commands in the Pacific Ocean Areas
ALR -- USNR officer designation. See AL and R. Formerly (A)L-R.
A1LR -- USNR officer designation. See A1L and R. Formerly (A1)L-R.
A2LR -- USNR officer designation. See A2L and R. Formerly (A2)L-R.
A3LR -- USNR officer designation. See A3L and R. Formerly (A3)L-R.
A4LR -- USNR officer designation. See A4L and R. Formerly (A4)L-R.
A5LR -- USNR officer designation. See A5L and R. Formerly (A5)L-R.
AlSeaFron -- Alaskan Sea Frontier
AlSec -- Alaskan Sector
AlStaCon -- Letter to All Stations, Continental United States
*ALT -- Alternations
Alt -- Alternating
ALT -- Altitude
ALT -- USNR officer designation. See A1 and T. Formerly (A)L-T.
A1LT -- USNR officer designation. See A1L and T. Formerly (A1)L-T.
A2LT -- USNR officer designation. See A2L and T. Formerly (A2)L-T.
A3LT -- USNR officer designation. See A3L and T. Formerly (A3)L-T.
A4LT -- USNR officer designation. See A4L and T. Formerly (A4)L-T.
A5LT -- USNR officer designation. See A5L and T. Formerly (A5)L-T.
A6LT -- USNR officer designation. See A6L and T. Formerly (A6)L-T.
Alt F Fl -- Alternating Fixed and Flashing
Alt F Gp Fl -- Alternating Fixed and Group Flashing
Alt Fl -- Alternating Flashing
Alt Gp Occ -- Alternating Group Occulting
Alt Occ -- Alternating Occulting
ALUSLO -- U.S. Naval Liaison Officer
ALUSNA -- U.S. Naval Attach&ecaute;
ALUSNOB -- U.S. Naval Observer
*ALUTS -- Aleutian Islands
ALX -- USNR officer designation. See AL and X. Formerly (A)L-X.
A1LX -- USNR officer designation. See A1L and X. Formerly (A1)L-X.
A2LX -- USNR officer designation. See A2L and X. Formerly (A2)L-X.
A3LX -- USNR officer designation. See A3L and X. Formerly (A3)L-X.
A4LX -- USNR officer designation. See A4L and X. Formerly (A4)L-X.
A5LX -- USNR officer designation. See A5L and X. Formerly (A5)L-X.
A6LX -- USNR officer designation. See A6L and X. Formerly (A6)L-X.
*AM -- American
AM -- Amplitude Modulation
AM -- Antemeridian
AM -- Aviation Metalsmith
AM -- Mine Sweeper
AMb -- Mine Sweeper, Harbor
AMC -- Air Mail Center
AMC -- American Maritime Cases
AMC -- Armed Merchant Cruiser (GB)
AMC -- Army Medical Center
AMc -- Mine Sweeper, Coastal
AmCon -- American Consul
AmConRepO -- American Consular Reporting Officer
AMCROSS -- American Red Cross
Amc (U) -- Coastal Mine Sweeper (underwater location)
AMDI -- Admiralty Merchan Ship Defense Instructions
AMG -- Aircraft Machine Gunner
AMG -- Allied Military Government
*AMGM -- Airmailgram
AML -- Aeronautical Materials Laboratory
AML -- Allied Military Liaison (Balkans)
AMM -- Aviation Machinist's Mate
AMMAC -- Aviation Machinist's Mate, Combat Aircrewman
AMMC -- Aviation Machinist's mate, Carburetor Mechanic
AMMF -- Aviation Machinist's Mate, Flight Engineer
AMMH -- Aviation Machinist's Mate, Hydraulic Mechanic
AMMI -- Aviation Machinist's Mate, Instrument Mechanic
AMMO -- Ammunition
AMMP -- Aviation Machinist's Mate, Propellor Mechanic
AMMT -- Aviation machinist's Mate, Turret Mechanic
AMO -- Aircraft Material Officer
AMPH -- Amphibious, Amphibian
AmphForLant -- Amphibious Force, Atlantic
AmphForMed -- Amphibious Force, Mediterranean
AmphForPac -- Amphibious Force, Pacific
Amphib -- Amphibious
AmphibFor -- Amphibious Forces
AmphibForCenPac -- Amphibious Forces, Central Pacific
Amphs -- Amphibious
*AMPS -- Amperes
AMS -- Army Map Service
AMS -- Minesweeper, High Speed
AMSC -- Allied Military Staff Conference (Quebec, Yalta, etc.)
AMSI -- Admiralty merchant Shipping Instructions
AMSI -- Atlantic Merchant Shipping Instructions
Amt -- Amount
Amtrack -- LVT (Landing Vehicle Tracked)
AMUN -- Ammunition
AMVETS -- American Vewterans of World War II
AN -- Annapolis, Maryland
AN -- Army-Navy Joint Type Ordnance
AN -- Net Laying Ship
AN -- USNR officer designation. See A and N. Forermly (A)-N.
A1N -- USNR officer designation. See A1 and N. Forermly (A1)-N.
A2N -- USNR officer designation. See A2 and N. Forermly (A2)-N.
A3N -- USNR officer designation. See A3 and N. Forermly (A3)-N.
A4N -- USNR officer designation. See A4 and N. Forermly (A4)-N.
A5N -- USNR officer designation. See A5 and N. Forermly (A5)-N.
A6N -- USNR officer designation. See A6 and N. Forermly (A6)-N.
AN/ARC-1 -- A radio transceiver
ANC -- Army Nurse Corps
ANCXF -- Allied Naval Commander Expeditionary Forces
ANDUS -- Anglo-Dutch-United States
ANGAU -- Australia-New Guinea Administrative Unit
"Angels" -- Radar countermeasures; now called "Kites"
ANJSB -- Army-Navy Joint Specifications Board
ANMB -- Army-Navy Munitions Board
ANMC -- Assistant Navy Mail Clerk
AnnRept -- Annual Report
ANPB -- Army-Navy Petroleum Baord
ANPPPC -- Army-Navy Petroleum Pool, Pacific Coast
ANSCOL -- Army-Navy Staff College
ANSIA -- Army-Navy Shipping Information Agency
ANSO -- Assistant Naval Stores Officer
ANTS -- Advanced Naval Traiing School
ANTU -- Air Navigation Training Unit
ANZAC -- Australian-New Zealand Army Corps
AO -- Administration Officer
AO -- Oiler, or Fuel Oil Tanker
AOACB -- Aviation Ordnanceman, Combat Aircrewman, Air Bomber
AOB -- Advanced Operational Base
AOC -- Air Officer Commanding (USMC)
AOC -- Aviation Officer Candidate
AOC in CBAFO -- Air Officer Commanding in Chief British Air Force Occupation
AOG -- Aircraft on Ground
AOG -- Gasoline Tanker
AOil -- Aviation Oil
AOL -- Absent over leave
AOM -- Aviation Ordnanceman
AOMAC -- Aviation Ordnanceman, Combat Aircrewman
AOMB -- Aviation Ordnanceman, Bombsight Mechanic
AOMT -- Aivation Ordnanceman, Turret Mechanic
AOND -- Administrative Officer, Navy Department
AOO -- Aviation Ordnance Officer
AOQ -- Aviation Officers' Quarters
AOR -- Air Operations Room
AOTC -- Aviation Officers Training Corps
A/P -- Airplane
AP -- Air Publication
AP -- Armor Piercing
AP -- Aviation Pilot
AP -- Transport (operated by teh Navy)
APA -- Appropriation Purchases Account
APA -- Transport, Attack
APB -- Barracks, Ship, self-propelled
APC -- Acetylsalicylic Acid, Acetophenetidin, Caffeine compound ("all purpose capsules")
APc -- Coastal Transport (small)
APCCLA -- Aviation Petroleum Coordinating Committee, Latin American
APD -- Transport (high speed)
APEL -- Aeronautical Photographic Experimental Laboratory
APF -- Administration Flagship
APG -- Supporting Gunnery Ship
APH -- Transport for wounded
APL -- Labor Transport or Barrack Ship (non self-propelled)
APLA -- Aviation Pilot, Airship
APM -- Assistant Paymaster (USMC)
APM -- Mechanized Artillery Transport
APN -- Non-Mechanized Artillery Transport
APO -- Area Petroleum Office(r)
APO -- Army Post Office
APP -- Troop Barge, Class A
APPAC -- Aviation Petroleum Products Allocation Committee
APPAC-L -- Aviation Petroleum Products Allocation Committee, London
APPN -- Appropriation
APR -- Rescue Transport
*APPROX -- Approximate
APR/SPR -- Shipboard Radar Receiver
APS -- Army Postal Service
APS -- Transport, Submarine
AP & SC Honolulu -- Army Port and Service Command, Honolulu
APT -- Armor Piercing Traced
APT -- Troop Barge, Class B
APU -- Army Postal Unit
APUC -- Area Production Urgency Committee
APV -- Transport and Aircraft Ferry
AR -- Airship Rigger
AR -- Allocated Reserve
AR -- Amphibian Reconnaissance
*AR -- Area
AR -- Argentia, Newfoundland
AR -- Army Regulations
A&R -- Assembly and Repair
AR -- Repair Ship
AR -- USNR officer designation. See A and R. Formerly (A)-R.
A1R -- USNR officer designation. See A1 and R. Formerly (A1)-R.
A2R -- USNR officer designation. See A2 and R. Formerly (A2)-R.
A3R -- USNR officer designation. See A3 and R. Formerly (A3)-R.
A4R -- USNR officer designation. See A4 and R. Formerly (A4)-R.
A5R -- USNR officer designation. See A5 and R. Formerly (A5)-R.
A6R -- USNR officer designation. See A6 and R. Formerly (A6)-R.
ARB -- Repair Ship, Battle Damage
ARC -- Cable Repairing or Laying Ship
ARCO -- Aircraft Resources Control Office
ARD -- Auxiliary Repair Dock (Floating Drydock)
ARDC -- Auxiliary Repair Dock, Concrete
ARG -- Repair Ship, Internal Combustion Engine
ARG -- Admiralty Regional Officer (GB)
Argus -- Shore-based fighter director unit
ARH -- Heavy-Hull Repair Ship
ARI -- Arithmetic Reading test
ARZ -- Arizona
ARK -- Arkansas
ARL -- Repair Ship, Landing Craft
ArlAnn -- Arlington Annex (Navy Department)
ARM -- Armament
ARM -- Aviation Radioman
ARM -- Heavy machinery Repair Ship
ARMAC -- Aviation Radioman, Combat Aircrewman
*ARMD -- Armored
ArmdComd -- Armored Command (Army)
ArmGrd -- Armed Guard
ArmGrdCen -- Armed Guard Center
ARO -- Air Radio Officer
AROU -- Aviation Repair and Overhaul Unit
ARP -- Air Raid Precautions
#ARPROREP -- Upon arrival further proceed and report (to)
#ARREP -- Upon arrival report (to)
#ARREPCOVES -- Upon arrival report to commanding officer of that vessel for duty
#ARREPISC -- Upon arrival report to immediate superior in command if present; otherwise by dispatch for duty indicated
ARRL -- Aeronautical Radio and Radar laboratory
ArrUS -- Arrived within continental limits of U.S.
ARRV -- Arrive
ARS -- Air Regulating Squadron
ARS -- Salvage Vessel
ARSD -- Aviation Repair Supply Depot
ARS(D) -- Salvage Lifting Vessel
ARS(T) -- Salvage Craft Tender
ART -- Article
ART -- Aviation Radio Technician
ARTL -- Awaiting result of trail
Arty -- Artillery
ARV -- Aircraft Repair Ship
ARV(A) -- Aircraft Repair Ship (Aircraft)
ARV(E) -- Aircraft Repair Ship (Engine)
AS -- Altostratus
AS -- Anti-Submarine
A/S -- Anti-Submarine
AS -- Apprentice Seaman
AS -- Asiatic
AS -- Astoria, Oregon
AS -- Submarine Tender
AS -- United States to West African ports (routing designation)
ASA -- Aviation Supply Annex
ASAC -- Altostratus and Altocumulus
ASAP -- Anti-Submarine Attack Plotter
ASATTU -- Anti-Submarine Attack Teacher Training Unit
ASB -- Airborne Search Radar
ASC -- Air Service Command (Army)
ASC -- Air Support Control
ASCU -- Air Support Control Units
ASD -- Airborne Search Radar
ASD -- Artillery Spotting Division
ASD -- Aviation Supply Depot
ASDevLant -- Anti-Submarine Development Detachment, Atlantic Fleet
Asdic -- Allied Submarine Devices Investigation Committee (World War I); also, general term applied to any type of under-water supersonic echo-ranging equipment of vessels
ASE -- Airborne Search Radar
ASE -- Aircraft Stores Establishment
A/SEE -- Anti-Submarine Experimental Establishment
ASF -- Alaskan Sea Frontier
ASF -- Army Service Forces
A/SFDO -- Anti-Submarine Fixed Defenses Officer
ASFTrnTraRonPac -- Auxiliary Service Force, Transition Training Squadron, Pacific
ASG -- Airborne Search Radar
ASH -- Airborne Search Radar
ASIS -- Ammunition Stores Issuing Ship
ASN -- Army Serial Number
ASO -- Air Signal Officer
ASO -- Air Staff Officer
ASO -- Assistant Secretary's Office (Navy)
ASO -- Aviation Supply Office (Philadelphia)
ASOS -- Assistant Supervisor of Shipbuilding
ASP -- Anti-Submarine Patrol
ASR or A/SR -- Air-Sea Rescue
ASR -- Submarine Rescue Vessel
ASRS -- Anglo-Soviet Recognition Signals
ASSERON -- Army Service Squadron (corresponds to Navy's CASU)
AS&SL -- All Ships and Stations Letters
ASSRON -- Air Service Support Squadron (Army)
Asst -- Assistant
*AST -- Assistant (to)
AstCk -- Assistant Cook
ASTP -- Army Specialized Training Program
ASTRP -- Army Specialized Training Reserve Program
AstSecNav -- Assistant Secretary of the Navy
AstSecNavAir -- Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Air
ASTU -- Air Support Training Units
ASTU -- Army Specialized Training Unit
ASU -- Aircraft Scheduling Unit
ASV -- Airborne Search Radar
*ASW or A/SW -- Anti-Submarine Warfare
ASW -- Assistant Secretary of War
ASWO -- (Naval) Air Stations Weekly Orders
ASWORG -- Anti-Submarine Warfare Operations Research Group
ASWTC -- Anti-Submarine Warfare Training Center
ASWTraCen -- Anti-Submarine Warfare Training Center
ASWTU -- Anti-Submarine Warfare Training Unit
ASWUnit -- Anti-Submarine Warfare Unit
AT -- Anti-Tank
A/T -- Anti-Torpedo (Nets)
A/T -- Attack teacher
AT -- Ocean-going Tug
AT -- United States to United Kingdom (routing designation)
AT -- USNR officer designation. See A and T. Formerly (A)-T.
A1T -- USNR officer designation. See A1 and T. Formerly (A1)-T.
A2T -- USNR officer designation. See A2 and T. Formerly (A2)-T.
A3T -- USNR officer designation. See A3 and T. Formerly (A3)-T.
A4T -- USNR officer designation. See A4 and T. Formerly (A4)-T.
ATA -- Army Transportation Association
ATA -- Ocean Tug (Auxiliary)
ATAD -- Absent on temporary additional duty
ATAD -- Air Technical Analysis Division
*ATAK -- Attack
ATANDT -- American Telephone and Telegraph Company
ATB -- Amphibious Training Base
ATC -- Airport Traffic Control
ATC -- Air Transport Command (USAAF)
ATC -- Army Training Center
ATCC(L) -- Allied Tanker Coordinating Committee in London
ATCC(W) -- Allied Tanker Coordinating Committee in Washington
ATCLO -- Amphibious Training Command Liaison Officer
ATCom -- Atoll Commander
ATCOR -- Air Traffic Coordinator
ATCOREU -- Air Traffic Coordinator Europe
ATCORUS -- Air Transport Coordinator for the United States
ATD -- Actual Time of Departure
AT (E) -- Administration of Territories (Europe)
ATF -- Ocean Tug, Fleet
ATIS -- Allied Translation and Intelligence Section
Atl -- Atlantic
ATL -- Awaiting trial
ATL -- Tank-landing craft, ocean going
ATMU -- Aircraft Torpedo Maintenance Unit
ATO -- Assisted take-off
ATO -- Ocean Tug, Old
ATR -- Aircraft Trouble Report
ATR -- Aviation Training Record
ATR -- Ocean Tug, Rescue
ATRON -- Atlantic Squadron (before Feb. 1941)
ATS -- Army Transport Service
ATSC -- Air Technical Service Command (Army)
ATSU -- Air Travel Security Unit
AT&T -- American Telegraph and Telephone Company
*ATT -- Mess attendant
ATTC -- Aviation Technical Training Center
*ATTN -- Attention
ATU -- Advanced Training Unit
AugU -- Augmenting Unit
AUS -- Army of the United States
*AUTH -- Authority
Auth -- Authority
#AUTHEXANDO -- Authority granted to execute acceptance and oath of office for
Auto Weap -- Automatic Weapons
*AUX -- Auxiliary or Auxiliary Craft
AV -- Audio-Visual
*AV -- Aviator, Aviation
AV -- Seaplane Tender
AVC -- American Veterans' Committee
AVC -- Catapult Lighter
AVCAD -- Aviation Cadet
AVD -- Seaplane Tender (highspeed)
"Avenger" -- See TBF-#, TBM-#
AVG -- Aircraft Carrier, Escort [see CVE]
A-V(G) -- USNR aviation officers holding designation as naval aviators, qualified for general detail afloat or ashore. This classification was abolished in September 1944 and replaced by one of the following: (A3), (A3)L, (A4)L, S(A3), or S(A4).
AvGas -- Aviation Gasoline
AVH -- USN officer designation. Designated Naval Aviator, Heavier than Air, on Flight Duty, USN.
AVIA -- Aviaiton pay
AVL -- Aviation officer designation. Designated Naval Aviator, Lighter than Air, on Flight Duty, USN.
AVM -- Air Vice-Marshal
Avn -- Aviation
A-V(N) -- USNR aviation flight officers, detailed to actve duty in the aeronautic organization of the Navy immediately following their completion of traiing and designation as naval aviators.This classification was abolished in September 1944 and replaced by one of the following: (A1), (A1)-L, (A2), (A2L), S(A1), or S(A2).
AvnCdt -- Aviation Cadet
AvnEngrBn -- Aviation Engineer Battalion (USMC)
AvnU -- Aviation Unit (USMC)
AVP -- Seaplane Tender (Small)
AVR -- Aircraft Rescue Vessel
Avr -- Aviator
A-V(RS) -- USNR aviation officers, commissioned and warrant, including radio electricians, qualified for specialist duties. This classification was abolished in September 1944 and replaced by the proper aviation or engineering classification with the suffix "T".
AVS -- Aviation Supply Ship
A-V(S) -- USNR aviaiton officers, commissioned and wearrant, including guners, radio electricians, machinists, aerographers, and photographers, qualified for specialist duties. This classification was abolished in September 1944 and replaced by one of the following: (A), (A)L, (D), (D)L, (AD), (S), or S(A).
AVT -- Aviation Medicine
AVT -- Aviation Medicine Technician
A-V(T) -- USNR aviaiton officers, former civil aviation pilots or aviators of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps or Coast Guard, qualified for specialist duties. This classificaiton was abolished in September 1944 and replaced by one of the following: (A5), (A5)L, (A6), (A6)L, S(A5), or S(A6).
AVTR -- Aviator
AW -- Articles of War (Army)
AW -- Automatic Weapons (Army)
AW -- Distilling Ship
AWA or AWAS -- Air Warfare Analysis Section (GB)
AWC -- Army War College
A&WI -- Atlantic and West Indies
AWK -- Water Tanker
AWOL -- Absent without official leave
AWrnCo -- Aircraft Warning Company (USMC)
AWS -- Air Warning Squadron (USMC)
AWS -- Physically on board awaiting sentence of court martial; not ship's company
AWT -- Physically on board awaiting trial by court martial; not ship's company
AX -- Planned Auxiliary, New Construction
AX -- USNR officer designation. See A and X. Formerly (A)-X.
A1X -- USNR officer designation. See A1 and X. Formerly (A1)-X.
A2X -- USNR officer designation. See A2 and X. Formerly (A2)-X.
A3X -- USNR officer designation. See A3 and X. Formerly (A3)-X.
A4X -- USNR officer designation. See A4 and X. Formerly (A4)-X.
A5X -- USNR officer designation. See A5 and X. Formerly (A5)-X.
A6X -- USNR officer designation. See A6 and X. Formerly (A6)-X.
AZ -- Air Ship Tender (Lighter than Air)

Note: Where the same abbreviation has more than one meaning, the several meanings have been arranged alphabetically. Abbreviations preceded by an asterisk (*), other than Navy numbers, may never be used singly; those preceded by the symbol for number (#) are the Bureau of Personnel Condensation Code for use in dispatch orders to personnel.