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During the years of World War II, companies such as
Daisy were prohibited from using steel and other
strategic materials for production of products such
as BB guns which were non-essential to the American
war effort. Instead, production was focused on
items ordered under War Department contracts and
sub-contracts, such as the parts you see displayed
in the flat case. Gaskets were produced for AC
Spark Plug Division, switches for Square D
Manufacturing, ball races for Palmer-Bee, washers
for Ligon Brothers, and dies for Bendix Aviation,
Nippert Electric and Pilgrim Drawn Steel. Of the
company’s total sales from 1942 to 1945, almost 24%
were from products for the war and the balance were
from non-steel toy products.
Colonel Cass
Hough (then vice president and later president of
Daisy) went on extended active duty in the 8th
Air Force, just six months prior to the attack on
Pearl Harbor. A decorated test pilot and fighter
pilot, he didn’t return from overseas until October,
1945, having won many an air battle from the English
Channel to New Guinea. Most notably, he had the
distinction of having tested the limits of the
Lightning P-38 in an experimental, yet successful,
43,000-foot vertical dive during which the plane
broke the sound barrier.
According to his
Air Force citation which was accompanied by the
Distinguished Flying Cross, “Colonel Hough
achieved…the longest terminal velocity dive in
history. He knowingly and deliberately entered
unknown regions of the air. The courage, skill and
devotion to duty displayed by this officer reflect
the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces
of the United States.”
The banner and
Roll of Honor you see here were proudly displayed in
the Plymouth, Michigan plant where they saluted
those in active military service during World War
II.
Throughout
history and numerous wars and conflicts, Daisy
remains grateful to and proud of our employees who
have so selflessly served our country, distinguished
themselves and even made the ultimate sacrifice for
freedom.
1880 ║ 1890 ║
1900 ║
1910 ║
1920
║ 1930 ║
1940 ║
The War Years
1950 ║
1960 ║
1970 ║
1980 ║
1990 ║
2000 ║
The Museum
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