U. S. Army Signal Corps

• Founded in 1860: The U.S. Army Signal Corps was established on June 21, 1860, with Major Albert J. Myer as its first chief. Myer developed the first visual signaling system, known as "wig-wag" or aerial telegraphy. • Civil War Innovation: The Signal Corps played a crucial role during the American Civil War, using flags, torches, and rockets to convey messages across battlefields, greatly improving battlefield communication. • Morse Code and Telegraph: The Corps introduced and operated the first military telegraph system, laying over 15,000 miles of telegraph wire during the Civil War. • Birthplace of Army Aviation: The Signal Corps purchased the Army’s first airplane from the Wright brothers in 1909, marking the beginning of military aviation in the U.S. • Role in World War I: The Corps managed the first wartime use of radio and telephone communications, as well as pigeon messengers—over 600 pigeons served in France during WWI. • Development of Radar: The Signal Corps was a pioneer in radar research and development; its scientists made the first radar contact with the Moon (Project Diana) in 1946. • Buffalo Soldiers: The famous all-African American 24th and 25th Infantry Regiments had Signal Corps detachments, highlighting the Corps' early integration efforts. • World War II Code Talkers: The Signal Corps worked with Native American soldiers, including the famous Navajo Code Talkers, to create unbreakable codes for secure battlefield communication. • Cold War Satellite Communications: The Corps was instrumental in launching the first military communications satellite, Courier 1B, in 1960, ushering in the era of satellite-based military communications. • Modern Cyber Operations: Today, the Signal Corps is at the forefront of Army cyber operations, supporting secure communications, electronic warfare, and information dominance on the digital battlefield.