Billy Mitchell Research Paper

General William “Billy” Mitchell General William “Billy” Mitchell (1879 – 1936), also known as “The father of the United States Air Force”, had a prominent military career. He distinguished military career was scarred with court-marshal proceeding in 1926; leading to his decision of resignation. General Mitchell enlisted in the U.S. Army Signal Corps in 1898 to serve in the Spanish-American War as a junior Lieutenant (LT). Mitchell did not see combat action during this war but did receive a full commission for displaying initiative, courage and leadership. Mitchell stayed in the Signal Corps after the war and stayed heavily involved in communications. He went on to serve in Cuba, the Philippines Insurrection and Alaska. A young LT. …show more content…
Colonel (Lt. Col) Mitchell was order to France as an observer. While in France, LT. Col Mitchell studied aircraft production, shortly there after in April 1917, the United States declared war on Germany. A wartime promotion to Brigadier General (BG) was given to Mitchell as he assumed command of aerial combat units in France. Commanding 1,481 aircraft on French and US forces, BG Mitchell proved that aerial superiority was crucial in warfare. The German forces received devastating effects from aerial forces. BG Mitchell was accredited as the first American Army aviator to cross enemy lines. The United States awarded him the Distinguished Service Cross and the Distinguished Service Medal. France issued the Legion of Honor …show more content…
in early 1919 and retained his rank as he was appointed to Deputy Chief of the Air Service. BG Mitchell lobbied for the creation of an independent air force, the development of aviation and the importance of the air force in combat; concluding the U.S. Navy battleships as obsolete. BG Mitchell increased Army Aviation by performing border patrols, aerial mapping and forest fire patrolling tactics. The increased activities did nothing to increase the values of aviation to his superiors. In efforts to further prove the importance of aviation, BG Mitchell begun aircraft to battleship tactics. In 1923, BG Mitchell’s Martin MB-2 bombers sunk the captured German battleship Ostfriesland of the coast of Virginia. Following the sinking of the Ostfriesland, BG Mitchell performed inspection of aerial units in the Pacific Rim. Following his return to the U.S. BG Mitchell warned of the Japanese expansion and the threat imposed on Pearl Harbor and Clark Airfield. The year 1925 was critical for now Col Mitchell. His outcry against poor leadership and decisions made that lead to the senseless crash of the USS Shenandoah. Col. Mitchell was court-marshaled for his actions. He resigned from his post instead of accepting the sentence. In civil life he was still a strong advocate of an independent air force and warned about falling behind other nations in air

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Billy Mitchell Research Paper

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