Billy Mitchell's Legacy

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When someone hears the words ‘Air Force’ they might think of one of the most strikingly impressive and capable military branches known today. However, most people do not know the struggle and competition to change the minds of stubborn Generals and die hard soldiers. William ‘Billy’ Mitchell was the man who first envisioned air power. He fought his whole life for an Air Force. Once he ran out of options he sacrificed his career to continue advocating for air power’s potential, Mitchell continued this effort until death. He managed to convince his superiors of his idea of aircraft right before America would have been destroyed by Germany and Japan in World War II. General William ‘Billy’ Mitchell’s leadership in advocating air power led to his legacy that lives on and is clearly seen in today’s modern United States Air Force. William Mitchell was born on December 29, 1879 in Nice, France. His parents were John and Harriet Mitchell, he was the oldest …show more content…

Mitchell was the youngest officer ever to be assigned to this important of a post. He immediately started to show others the benefits of airplanes being our new first line of defense. Mitchell began to recognize the desperate need for air power and the potential that came with it. Mitchell excelled in this new job and was soon promoted to Major and then to Lieutenant Colonel in 1917. Believing so strongly in the future of the airplane he started to pay for flying lessons and received a ranking as junior military aviator.

After twelve years of proving himself, on Sunday April 14, 1918 Mitchell declared that the first American squadron had finally entered the war. Airplanes were used in World War I allowing Mitchell to prove his point further. He was promoted to Brigadier General soon _______________________
3 historynet.com fourth paragragh, fourth

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