Thomas Francis Meagher
Irish nationalist & American politician (1823-1867)
Billy Mitchell
United States Army general during World War I
William Lendrum Mitchell was a pioneering United States Army officer who played a crucial role in the creation of the U.S. Air Force. He advocated for increased investment in air power and conducted bombing runs to demonstrate the ability of bombers to sink battleships, which led to his court-martial and resignation from the service. Despite this, Mitchell was honored after his death, including having a military aircraft design named after him and an airport in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
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About the Billy Mitchell
William Lendrum Mitchellwas a United States Army officer who had a major role in the creation of the United States Air Force.
Mitchell served in France during World War I and, by the conflict’s end, commanded all American air combat units in that country. After the war, he was appointed deputy director of the Air Service and began advocating for increased investment in air power, believing that this would prove vital in future wars. He argued particularly for the ability of bombers to sink battleships and organized a series of bombing runs against stationary ships designed to test the idea.
He antagonized many administrative leaders of the Army with his arguments and criticism and in 1925, his temporary appointment as a brigadier general was not renewed, and he reverted to his permanent rank of colonel, due to his insubordination. Later that year, he was court-martialed for insubordination after accusing Army and Navy leaders of an “almost treasonable administration of the national defense” for investing in battleships. He resigned from the service shortly afterwards.
Mitchell received many honors following his death, including a Congressional Gold Medal. He is also the first person for whom an American military aircraft design, the North American B-25 Mitchell, is named. Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is also named after Mitchell.
Frequently Asked Questions
Billy Mitchell was a United States Army officer who had a major role in the creation of the United States Air Force. He served in France during World War I and advocated for increased investment in air power, believing it would be vital in future wars.
Billy Mitchell organized a series of bombing runs against stationary ships to test the idea that bombers could sink battleships. He believed this capability would prove crucial in future wars.
Billy Mitchell was court-martialed for insubordination after accusing Army and Navy leaders of an ,almost treasonable administration of the national defense, for investing in battleships instead of air power. He resigned from the service shortly afterwards.
After his death, Billy Mitchell received many honors, including a Congressional Gold Medal. He is also the first person for whom an American military aircraft design, the North American B-25 Mitchell, is named. Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport in Wisconsin is also named after him.
Billy Mitchell’s advocacy for increased investment in air power and his demonstrations of the ability of bombers to sink battleships had a major influence on the creation and development of the United States Air Force.