Here's a terrific resource on the subject:
"History of the Naval Aviator and Designations and Numbers".
It's the best single-source write up I've seen yet on the development and changes to Naval Aviator and NFO wings, and the "History of Naval Aviator Numbers".
I was always curious why my own number (G-6163) started with the letter G. Turns out:
The Bureau of Navigation (redesignated Bureau of Naval Personnel in 1942) continued to issue naval aviator numbers and was the sole source until 31 July 1942. In a SECNAV letter dated 31 July 1942, the old method of designating naval aviators through the assignment of numbers was discontinued. The following system was put in place:
- Commandant, Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Fla., is directed to commence a series of numbers for the foregoing designations as Naval Aviator (HTA) Number P1, P2, P3, etc.
- Commandant, Naval Air Station, Jacksonville, Fla., is directed to commence a similar series as Naval Aviator (HTA) Number J1, J2, J3, etc.
- Commandant, Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, Tex., is directed to commence a similar series as Naval Aviator (HTA) Number C1, C2, C3, etc.
- Commanding Officer, Naval Air Station, Miami, Fla., is directed to commence a similar series, as Naval Aviator (HTA) Number M1, M2, M3, etc.
- Commanding Officer, Naval Air Station, Norfolk, Va., is directed to commence a similar series, as Naval Aviator (HTA) Number N1, N2, N3, etc.
- Commanding Officer, Naval Air Station, Alameda, Calif., is directed to commence a similar series as Naval Aviator (HTA) Number A1, A2, A3, etc.
- Commanding Officer, Naval Air Station, Lakehurst, N.J., is directed to commence a similar series as Naval Aviator Number L1, L2, L3, etc.
- Commanding Officer, Naval Air Station, Moffett Field, Calif., is directed to commence a similar series as Naval Aviator (LTA) Number S1, S2, S3, etc.
This letter also stated: “The original letter of designation will be delivered directly to the individual without prior reference to the Navy Department for approval.” Copies of the letter of designation were to be forwarded to the Bureau of Personnel; Bureau of Aeronautics; Commandant, U.S. Marine Corps; and Bureau of Medicine and Surgery (in the case of flight surgeons). Because of the decentralization of this numbering system, a complete listing of naval aviators and their designation numbers has not been found for the WWII period even though the Bureau of Personnel was to receive a copy of all the letters of designation.
SO…while NAS Glynco is not stated in that early policy, it would seem apparent that the same "scheme" continued when NAS Glynco became a "winging source" for NFOs.
The attachment goes on to state:
The Chief of Naval Air Training quit issuing Naval Aviator Numbers sometime in the 1970s. Documentation has not been located that gives the date or provides reasons why the assignment of Naval Aviator numbers was discontinued.
To date, no complete listing of all Naval Aviator numbers, including the letter-number designations, has been found. Moreover, it is highly unlikely a complete list exists because of the decentralization of the system during WWII. Bits and pieces of the listing for Naval Aviator numbers is held by the Naval Aviation History Office. However, the WWII and post-war period list is not organized in any alphabetical or chronological order, consequently, it is extremely difficult to find any individual’s number.