Nowadays, the buzz in animation is all about the CGI-enhanced antics of bugs, cars, and avatars. But back in the day, when cartoons (and maps) were carefully drawn by hand, none were more colorful than Mickey, Donald, and other beloved creations of the Walt Disney Studio. Interestingly, these famous characters had a hard-working NOAA cousin who did much to lift the spirits of those who served in World War II.

This Disney "icon" of lesser fame but equal significance - at least as far as NOAA is concerned - is the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey (C&GS) Eagle. During World War II, The Walt Disney Studio actually designed an insignia for C&GS, the predecessor of NOAA’s Office of Coast Survey, Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services, National Geodetic Survey, and Office of Marine and Aviation Operations.

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