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Billy Mitchell: Crusader for Air Power
"This is the best book―the most scholarly, the most judicial, the best written―about the intelligent, attractive, undiplomatic, quixotic Billy Mitchell, the legendary founder of today's United States Air Force." ―Robert H. Ferrell, author of Harry S. A Life
Revered by many Americans as a martyr for his cause, Brigadier General William "Billy" Mitchell has been one of the least understood figures of modern military history. His position as the dominant figure in American aviation from 1919 until his court-martial in 1925 has made him the frequent subject of biography, film, and television, but usually these portrayals have overemphasized the sensational elements of his story. For Mitchell, sensationalism was only a means of drawing attention to his farsighted ideas on aviation. In Billy Mitchell, he emerges as a man with a mission and a true pioneer of modern aviation, a man whose ideas about leadership in aerial operations inspire and instruct today's airmen and women. Anyone interested in aviation will delight in this compelling biography.
Revered by many Americans as a martyr for his cause, Brigadier General William "Billy" Mitchell has been one of the least understood figures of modern military history. His position as the dominant figure in American aviation from 1919 until his court-martial in 1925 has made him the frequent subject of biography, film, and television, but usually these portrayals have overemphasized the sensational elements of his story. For Mitchell, sensationalism was only a means of drawing attention to his farsighted ideas on aviation. In Billy Mitchell, he emerges as a man with a mission and a true pioneer of modern aviation, a man whose ideas about leadership in aerial operations inspire and instruct today's airmen and women. Anyone interested in aviation will delight in this compelling biography.
216 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1975
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
March 5, 2018
A brief straightforward biography of Billy Mitchell written by an Air Force member.
Mitchell is significant in that be bucked the Army (and Congress and the President) drawing attention to the fact the military was not focused enough on getting aviation right and we were lagging behind the rest of the world. Mitchell was able to show aviation was a force that needed more attention (test flights bombing a battleship showed air power could sink ships). Ultimately Mitchell became so caught up in his cause he went too far and was court-martialed at the direction of the president. Today his bust is on display at the Air Force academy and he is remembered as a credit to the country.
Mitchell is significant in that be bucked the Army (and Congress and the President) drawing attention to the fact the military was not focused enough on getting aviation right and we were lagging behind the rest of the world. Mitchell was able to show aviation was a force that needed more attention (test flights bombing a battleship showed air power could sink ships). Ultimately Mitchell became so caught up in his cause he went too far and was court-martialed at the direction of the president. Today his bust is on display at the Air Force academy and he is remembered as a credit to the country.
March 10, 2019
Billy Mitchell, known today as the father of the US Air Force was quite a headstrong individual. Distinguishing himself in World War II and on a crusade after the War to establish the Air Force as a separate and equal branch of the military, moving it out from under the US Army he made a lot of enemies.
Mitchell bucked the US Army, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and even the President himself. He was so adamant about his ideas that he ended up bucking himself right into a court martial.
This book is a good introduction into Billy Mitchell, the man, his beliefs and what he would risk to see them fulfilled.
Mitchell bucked the US Army, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and even the President himself. He was so adamant about his ideas that he ended up bucking himself right into a court martial.
This book is a good introduction into Billy Mitchell, the man, his beliefs and what he would risk to see them fulfilled.
December 8, 2007
Billy Mitchell told them It will be an air attack and the attack will come on a Sunday morning.
How right he was!
How right he was!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews