William ‘Billy’ Mitchell’s single greatest contribution to the American military was the creation of an air service separate from any component of the Navy or Army; to this end, he sacrificed his career and failed. From the earliest days of his service, to the end of his career Mitchell analyzed the impacts from and advocated for air power. He never saw the results of his advocation and was removed from federal service for it. Despite his inability to create a separate air service, Mitchell laid the groundwork for the United States Air Force.
Mitchell’s life was uniquely suited to the elevation of air power. After graduating from college in 1898, Mitchell enlisted in the Volunteer Army during the Spanish-American War and quickly gained a commission as an officer in the Signal Corps. In 1913, as a captain he was the “youngest officer to serve on the Army’s …show more content…
Mitchell’s actions regarding the Ostfriesland, forced the Navy to reconsider doctrine and change the central component of American naval power from the now defunct battleship to the newly conceived aircraft carrier. Mitchell’s actions during the first world war and his bombing of the Ostfriesland demonstrated the impact and possibility of strategic bombing(Pisano). For these reasons, the United States was positioned to find success in the air war, both over the fields of Europe and the seas of the Pacific. The success of the air war is what ultimately allowed the United States Air Force to become a service unto itself.
William ‘Billy’ Mitchell sacrificed his career to ensure that the Army Air Corps would become an independent air force, and unfortunately, in his lifetime he failed. Mitchell’s lasting impact on the military is best seen in the existence and emphasis of air power. Like so many visionaries before him, Mitchell was punished for failing to capitulate to senior military leaders and their narrow world
Mitchell’s life was uniquely suited to the elevation of air power. After graduating from college in 1898, Mitchell enlisted in the Volunteer Army during the Spanish-American War and quickly gained a commission as an officer in the Signal Corps. In 1913, as a captain he was the “youngest officer to serve on the Army’s …show more content…
Mitchell’s actions regarding the Ostfriesland, forced the Navy to reconsider doctrine and change the central component of American naval power from the now defunct battleship to the newly conceived aircraft carrier. Mitchell’s actions during the first world war and his bombing of the Ostfriesland demonstrated the impact and possibility of strategic bombing(Pisano). For these reasons, the United States was positioned to find success in the air war, both over the fields of Europe and the seas of the Pacific. The success of the air war is what ultimately allowed the United States Air Force to become a service unto itself.
William ‘Billy’ Mitchell sacrificed his career to ensure that the Army Air Corps would become an independent air force, and unfortunately, in his lifetime he failed. Mitchell’s lasting impact on the military is best seen in the existence and emphasis of air power. Like so many visionaries before him, Mitchell was punished for failing to capitulate to senior military leaders and their narrow world