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RARE William "Billy" Mitchell, BGen. SIGNED 1932 First Day Cover was the Father of the Air Force during WWI and a Medal of Honor recipient.
William Lendrum Mitchell(December 29, 1879 – February 19, 1936) was aUnited States Armyofficer who had a major role in the creation of theUnited States Air Force.Aviation Inside a Battleship Navy
By the early 1920s,Brig. Gen. William “Billy” Mitchellwas one of the most senior aviation officers in the U.S. Army and its most aggressive internal critic. Drawing on his experience commanding Allied air power during World War I, Mitchell warned future wars would be decided in the air, and the U.S. military’s fixation on battleships left the country dangerously exposed.
Those warnings were backed by proof. In 1921, Mitchell helped organize bombing tests in which Army aircraft repeatedly struck and ultimately sank the captured German battleshipOstfriesland, demonstrating air power could destroy heavily armored naval vessels. The test embarrassed the Navy and directly challenged the foundation of American maritime strategy.
He antagonized many administrative leaders of the Army with his arguments and criticism and in 1925, his temporary appointment as abrigadier generalwas not renewed, and he reverted to his permanent rank ofcolonel, due to hisinsubordination. Later that year, he wascourt-martialedfor insubordination after accusing Army and Navy leaders of an "almost treasonable administration of the national defense"[3]for investing in battleships. He resigned from the service shortly afterwards.
Mitchell received many honors following his death, including a Congressional Gold Medal.
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