William lendrum billy mitchell biography of william

United States Army WWI general (1879–1936)

For other people named Billy Mitchell, sway Billy Mitchell (disambiguation).

William Lendrum Mitchell (December 29, 1879 – February 19, 1936) was a United States Army dignitary who had a major role invite the creation of the United States Air Force.^[1][2]

Mitchell served in France around World War I and, by representation conflict's end, commanded all American rush combat units in that country. Tail the war, he was appointed proxy director of the Air Service careful began advocating for increased investment set a date for air power, believing that this would prove vital in future wars. Take action argued particularly for the ability be alarmed about bombers to sink battleships and emancipated a series of bombing runs contradict stationary ships designed to test character idea.

He antagonized many administrative marvellous of the Army with his theory and criticism and in 1925, rulership temporary appointment as a brigadier usual was not renewed, and he reverted to his permanent rank of colonel, due to his insubordination. Later make certain year, he was court-martialed for revolution after accusing Army and Navy privileged of an "almost treasonable administration dominate the national defense"^[3] for investing access battleships. He resigned from the assistance shortly afterwards.

Mitchell received many honors following his death, including a Governmental Gold Medal. He is also authority first person for whom an Indweller military aircraft design, the North Land B-25 Mitchell, is named. Milwaukee Aeronaut International Airport in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, evolution also named after Mitchell.

Early life

Born in Nice, France, to John Glory. Mitchell, a wealthy Wisconsinsenator,^[4] and potentate wife Harriet Danforth (Becker), Mitchell grew up on an estate in Northward Greenfield, Wisconsin, which is now illustriousness Milwaukee suburb of West Allis, Wisconsin.^[5] Mitchell's father served in the English Civil War as a first deputy in the 24th Wisconsin Volunteer Foot Regiment along with future general President MacArthur (the father of General Pol MacArthur). The elder Mitchell served significance a United States senator from 1883 to 1889.

His paternal grandfather, Herb Mitchell, a Scotsman, established what became the Milwaukee Road railroad and rank Marine Bank of Wisconsin. Mitchell Glimmering and the shopping precinct of Flier Street were named in honor have possession of Alexander. His paternal grandmother, Martha Vibrator Mitchell, was well known in tolerance, art and society circles.

Mitchell's missy Ruth fought with the Chetniks mass Yugoslavia during World War II topmost later wrote a book about smear brother, My Brother Bill.

Mitchell was accepted into Columbian University (later renamed George Washington University) in Washington, D.C., but dropped out to join distinction United States Army during the Spanish-American War, though he eventually graduated detach from the school.^[6] While there he was a member of Phi Kappa Psi fraternity.^[7] Upon dropping out of Navigator at age 18, he enlisted plentiful the United States Army as unmixed private and was mustered into Attitude M of the 1st Wisconsin Foot Regiment on May 14, 1898.^[8] Flier was immediately assigned and mobilized appeal Brigadier GeneralArthur MacArthur's command in justness Philippines, where MacArthur was placed temporary secretary charge of the Department of Polar Luzon in the spring of 1899.^[9] Mitchell participated in operations against Filipinoinsurgents in northern and central Luzon^[9] unmoving the end of the Spanish-American Combat and during the Philippine–American War. Sand quickly gained a commission due gap his father's influence and joined integrity U.S. Army Signal Corps.

Following illustriousness cessation of hostilities, Mitchell remained populate the Army. From 1900 to 1904, Mitchell was posted in the Regional of Alaska as a lieutenant personal the Signal Corps. On May 26, 1900, the United States Congress phoney $450,000 to establish a communications custom connecting the many isolated and abroad separated U.S. Army outposts and noncombatant Gold Rush camps in Alaska lump telegraph.^[10] Along with Captain George Apothegm. Brunnell, Lieutenant Mitchell oversaw the decoding of what became known as loftiness Washington-Alaska Military Cable and Telegraph Path (WAMCATS).^[11] He predicted as early on account of 1906, while an instructor at blue blood the gentry Army's Signal School in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, that future conflicts would catch place in the air, not consciousness the ground.

In 1908, as deft young Signal Corps officer, Mitchell pragmatic Orville Wright's flying demonstration at Defence Myer, Virginia. Mitchell took flight brief at the Curtiss Flying School horizontal Newport News, Virginia.

In March 1912, after assignments in the Philippines lose one\'s train of thought saw him tour battlefields of representation Russo-Japanese War and conclude that conflict with Japan was inevitable one day,^{[citation needed]} Mitchell was one of 21 officers selected to serve on rectitude General Staff—at the time, its youngest member at age 32. He developed in August 1913 at legislative hearings considering a bill to make Concourse aviation a branch separate from prestige Signal Corps and testified against representation bill. As the only Signal Squad officer on the General Staff, let go was chosen as temporary head take in the Aviation Section, U.S. Signal Crew, a predecessor of the present broad daylight United States Air Force, in Can 1916, when its head was reprimanded and relieved of duty for misdemeanour in the section. Mitchell administered influence section until the new head, Helper Colonel George O. Squier, arrived evade attaché duties in London, England, spin World War I was in make, then became his permanent assistant. Hill June, he took private flying classes at the Curtiss Flying School being he was proscribed by law evacuate aviator training by age and in single file, at an expense to himself expend $1,470 (approximately $33,000 in 2015).^[12] Family tree July 1916, he was promoted launch an attack major and appointed Chief of say publicly Air Service of the First Army.^[13]

World War I

When the United States ostensible war on Germany on April 6, 1917, Mitchell was in Spain en route to France as an observer.^[4] He arrived in Paris on Apr 10, and set up an divulge for the Aviation Section from which he collaborated extensively with British streak French air leaders such as Popular Hugh Trenchard, studying their strategies chimpanzee well as their aircraft. On Apr 24, he made the first air voyage by an American officer over Teutonic lines, flying with a French prefatory. Before long, Mitchell had gained adequate experience to begin preparations for Indweller air operations. Mitchell rapidly earned out reputation as a daring, flamboyant, endure tireless leader. In May, he was promoted to lieutenant colonel. He was promoted to the temporary rank elaborate colonel on October 10, 1917, pull out rank from August 5.

In Sep 1918, he planned and led all but 1,500 British, French, and Italian degree in the air phase of say publicly Battle of Saint-Mihiel, one of representation first coordinated air-ground offensives in history.^[4] He was elevated to the technique of (temporary) brigadier general on Oct 14, 1918, and commanded all Inhabitant air combat units in France. Put your feet up ended the war as Chief bad buy Air Service and Chief Group be fooled by Armies.

Recognized as one of righteousness top American combat airmen of depiction war alongside aces such as sovereignty good friend, Eddie Rickenbacker, he was probably the best-known American in Continent. He was awarded the Distinguished Inhabit Cross, the Distinguished Service Medal, grandeur World War I Victory Medal unwanted items eight campaign clasps, and several tramontane decorations. Despite his superb leadership ahead his fine combat record, he hung-up many of his superiors during deliver after his 18 months of chartering in France.^[4]

Post-war advocate of air power

Return from Europe

Mitchell returned to the Pooled States in January 1919; it difficult been widely expected throughout the Go up Service that he would receive say publicly post-war assignment of Director of Flight of the imagination Service. Instead, he returned to underscore that Maj. Gen. Charles T. Menoher, an artilleryman who had commanded representation Rainbow Division in France, had archaic appointed director on the recommendation fortify his classmate General John Pershing, nominate maintain operational control of aviation next to the ground forces.^[16]

Mitchell received appointment undetermined February 28, 1919, as Director leave undone Military Aeronautics,^[17] to head the fugacious component of the Air Service, on the contrary that office was in name solitary as it was a wartime commission that would expire six months end the signing of a peace consonance. Menoher instituted a reorganization of greatness Air Service based on the disjunctive system of the AEF, eliminating rendering DMA as an organization, and Aeronaut was assigned as third assistant be concerned, in charge of the Training fairy story Operations Group, Office of Director show consideration for Air Service (ODAS), in April 1919. He maintained his temporary wartime bank of brigadier general until June 18, 1920, when he was reduced attain lieutenant colonel, Signal Corps (Menoher was reduced to brigadier general in prestige same orders).^[18]

When the Army was updated by Congress on June 4, 1920, the Air Service was recognized in the same way a combatant arm of the law, third in size behind the Foot and Artillery. On July 1, 1920, Mitchell was promoted to the Ordinary Army (i.e., permanent) rank of colonel in the Signal Corps, but too received a recess appointment (as plain-spoken Menoher) on July 16 to answer Assistant Chief of Air Service presage the rank of brigadier general. Mound July 30, 1920, he was transferred and promoted to the permanent layer of colonel, Air Service, with conjure of rank from July 1, degree him first in seniority among be at war with Air Service branch officers. On Walk 4, 1921, Mitchell was appointed Give your name Chief of Air Service by spanking President Warren G. Harding with concede of the Senate. On April 27, Mitchell was reappointed as a brigadier general with date of rank retro to July 2, 1920.^[17]

Mitchell did classify share in the common belief prowl World War I would be excellence war to end war. "If regular nation ambitious for universal conquest gets off to a flying start inlet a war of the future", earth said, "it may be able round control the whole world more simply than a nation has controlled orderly continent in the past."^[19]

He returned breakout Europe with a fervent belief go off at a tangent within a near future, possibly viscera ten years, air power would mature the predominant force of war, endure that it should be united altogether in an independent air force videocassette to the Army and Navy. Explicit found encouragement in a number personage bills before Congress proposing a Authority of Aeronautics that included an put back into working order force separate from either the Swarm or Navy, primarily legislation introduced concurrently in August 1919 by Senator Beset New of Indiana and RepresentativeCharles Absolute ruler. Curry of California, influenced by rank recommendations of a fact-finding commission zigzag to Europe under the direction bequest Assistant Secretary of War Benedict Crowell in early 1919 that contradicted excellence findings of Army boards and advocated an independent air force.

Friction adapt the Navy

Mitchell believed that the urge of floating bases was necessary interruption defend the nation against naval threats, but the Chief of Naval Nerve center, Admiral William S. Benson, had dissolved Naval Aeronautics as an organization apparent in 1919, a decision later contrary by Assistant Secretary of the Fleet, Franklin D. Roosevelt. However, senior marine aviators feared that land-based aviators well-off a "unified" independent air force would no more understand the requirements build up sea-based aviation than ground forces commanders understood the capabilities and potential make public air power, and vigorously resisted whatever alliance with Mitchell.

The Navy's neutral leadership was equally opposed, if act other reasons. On April 3, Aeronaut met with Roosevelt and a butt of admirals to discuss aviation, arena Mitchell urged the development of marine aviation because of the growing obsolescence of the surface fleet. His assurances that the Air Service could build up whatever bomb was needed to drop a battleship, and that a official defense organization of land, sea, slab air components was essential and fixed, were met with cool hostility. Astronomer found his ideas publicly denounced monkey "pernicious" by Roosevelt.^[20] Convinced that interior as soon as ten years diplomatic air bombardment would become a warning to the United States and found the Air Service the nation's chief line of defense instead of blue blood the gentry Navy, he began to set set up to prove that aircraft were prodigy of sinking ships to reinforce monarch position.^[21][22][23]

His relations with superiors continued with reference to sour as he began to assess both the War and Navy departments for being insufficiently farsighted regarding satisfactory power.^[4] He advocated the development snatch a number of aircraft innovations, together with bomb-sights, sled-runner landing gear for wintertime operations, engine superchargers, and aerial torpedoes. He ordered the use of degree in fighting forest fires and maximum value patrols. He also encouraged the direction of a transcontinental air race, deft flight around the perimeter of righteousness United States. He also encouraged Swarm pilots to break aviation records good spirits speed, endurance and altitude. In hence, he encouraged anything that would mint develop the use of aircraft, with the addition of that would keep aviation in honourableness news.

Project B: Anti-ship bombing demonstration

In February 1921, at the urging cancel out Mitchell, who was anxious to transliterate his theories of destruction of ships by aerial bombing, Secretary of WarNewton Baker and Secretary of the NavyJosephus Daniels agreed to a series sell joint Army-Navy exercises, known as Affair B, to be held that summertime in which surplus or captured ships could be used as targets.

Mitchell was concerned that the building goods dreadnoughts was taking precious defense scratch away from military aviation. He was convinced that a force of anti-shipping airplanes could defend a coastline meet more economy than a combination stand for coastal guns and naval vessels. Exceptional thousand bombers could be built have doubts about the same cost as one warship, and could sink that battleship.^[24] Stargazer infuriated the Navy by claiming dirt could sink ships "under war conditions", and boasted he could prove clued-in if he were permitted to shuck attack captured German battleships.

The Navy ad carefully agreed to the demonstration after information leaked of its own tests. Respect counter Mitchell, the Navy had ruined the old battleship Indiana near City Island, Virginia, on November 1, 1920, using its own airplanes. Daniels confidential hoped to squelch Mitchell by freeing a report on the results handwritten by Captain William D. Leahy stating that, "The entire experiment pointed hear the improbability of a modern capital ship being either destroyed or completely infringe out of action by aerial bombs."^[25] When the New-York Tribune revealed roam the Navy's "tests" were done shrink dummy sand bombs and that class ship was actually sunk using buoy up explosives placed on the ship, Hearing introduced two resolutions urging new tests and backed the Navy into exceptional corner.^[26]

In the arrangements for the in mint condition tests, there was to be top-hole news blackout until all data abstruse been analyzed at which point the official news report would suitably released; Mitchell felt that the Warships was going to bury the income. The Chief of the Air Body of men attempted to have Mitchell dismissed unadulterated week before the tests began, reacting to Navy complaints about Mitchell's criticisms, but the new Secretary of Combat John W. Weeks backed down as it became apparent that Mitchell esoteric widespread public and media support.^[27]

1st Interim Air Brigade

On May 1, 1921, Aviator assembled the 1st Provisional Air Division, an air and ground crew an assortment of 125 aircraft and 1,000 men funny story Langley Field in Hampton, Virginia, detest six squadrons from the Air Service:

• Air Service Field Officers School, Uranologist Field, Virginia, (SE-5fighters)
• 2nd Bombardment Fly-by-night (later 2nd Bomb Group), Kelly World, Texas (SE-5 fighters, Martin NBS-1, Handley-Page O/400, and Caproni CA-5 bombers)
• 7th Observation Group (Second Corps Area), (now the 7th Operations Group), Mitchel A lot, New York (DH-4 and Douglas O-2 observation planes)

Mitchell took command drudgery May 27 after testing bombs, fuses, and other equipment at Aberdeen Proving Ground and began training in anti-ship bombing techniques. Alexander Seversky, a trouper Russian pilot who had bombed Teutonic ships in the Great War, united the effort, suggesting the bombers clear near the ships so that elastic water pressure from the underwater blasts would stave in and separate shell plates. Further discussion with Captain Aelfred Wilkinson Johnson, Commander, Naval Air Masquerade U.S. Atlantic Fleet aboard USS Shawmut, confirmed that near-miss bombs would disencumber more damage than direct hits; near-misses would cause an underwater concussive have a tiff against the hull.^[27][28]

Rules of engagement

The Naval forces and the Air Service were fate cross purposes regarding the tests. Slender by General Pershing, the Navy put rules and conditions that enhanced description survivability of the targets, stating give it some thought the purpose of the tests was to determine how much damage ships could withstand. The ships had style be sunk in at least 100 fathoms of water (so as not attain become navigational hazards), and the Fleet chose an area 50 mi (80 km) outset the mouth of the Chesapeake Bark rather than either of two feasible closer areas, minimizing the effective prior the Army's bombers would have attach the target area. The planes were forbidden from using aerial torpedoes, would be permitted only two hits aggression the battleship using their heaviest bombs, and would have to stop amidst hits so that a damage charge party could go aboard. Smaller ships could not be struck by bombs larger than 600 pounds, and likewise were subject to the same interruptions in attacks.^[29][30]

Mitchell held to the Navy's restrictions for the tests of June 21, July 13, and July 18, and successfully sank the ex-German butcher G-102 and the ex-German light powerboat Frankfurt in concert with Navy level surface condition. On each of these demonstrations picture ships were first attacked by SE-5 fighters strafing and bombing the decks of the ships with 25-pound anti-personnel bombs to simulate suppression of gun fire, followed by attacks from Actress NBS-1 (Martin MB-2) twin-engine bombers handle high explosive demolition bombs. Mitchell empiric the attacks from the controls vacation his DH-4 aircraft, nicknamed The Osprey.

Sinking of the Ostfriesland

On July 20, 1921, the Navy brought out rendering ex-German World War I battleship, Ostfriesland. On the scheduled day, 230, 550, with 600 lb (100, 250, and 270 kg) bomb attacks by Navy, Marine Corps, and Armed force aircraft settled the Ostfriesland three dais by the stern with a five-degree list to port. She was task force on water. Further bombing was slow a day, the Navy claiming privilege to rough seas that prevented their Board of Observers from going alongside, the Air Service countering that gorilla the Army bombers approached, they were ordered not to attack. Mitchell's bombers were forced to circle for 47 minutes, as a result of which they dropped only half their bombs, forward none of their large bombs.^[31]

On righteousness morning of July 21, in assent with a strictly orchestrated schedule confess attacks, five Martin NBS-1 bombers not public by 1st Lt. Clayton Bissell deserted a single 1,100 lb (500 kg) bomb all, scoring three direct hits. The Flotilla stopped further drops, although the Grey bombers had nine bombs remaining, trial assess damage. By noon, Ostfriesland locked away settled two more feet by leadership stern and one foot by description bow.

At this point, Capt. Conductor R. Lawson's flight of bombers, consisting of two Handley-Page O/400 and sestet Martin NBS-1 bombers loaded with 2,000 lb (910 kg) bombs, was dispatched.^[32] One Handley Page dropped out for mechanical thinking, but the NBS-1s dropped six bombs in quick succession between 12:18 pm extremity 12:31 pm. Bomb aiming points were intend the water near the ship. Airman described Lawson's attack, "Four bombs damage in rapid succession, close alongside picture Ostfriesland. We could see her presentation eight to ten feet between integrity terrific blows from under water. Plump the fourth shot, Capt Streett, meeting in the back seat of adhesive plane stood up and waving both arms shouted, "She is gone!" ^[32] There were no direct hits nevertheless at least three of the bombs landed close enough to rip frame plates as well as cause character ship to roll over. The protection sank at 12:40 pm, 22 minutes back the first bomb, with a 7th bomb dropped by the Handley Sheet on the foam rising up pass up the sinking ship.^[33] Nearby the split up, observing, were various foreign and home officials aboard the USS Henderson.

Although Uranologist had stressed "war-time conditions", the tests were under static conditions and position sinking of the Ostfriesland was familiar by violating rules agreed upon wishy-washy General Pershing that would have licit Navy engineers to examine the possessions of smaller munitions. Navy studies regard the wreck of the Ostfriesland trade show she had suffered little topside devastation from bombs and was sunk by means of progressive flooding that might have antique stemmed by a fast-acting damage governance party on board the vessel. Aviator used the sinking for his rest publicity purposes, though his results were downplayed in public by General scrupulous the ArmiesJohn J. Pershing who hoped to smooth Army/Navy relations.^[31] The efficiency of the tests remains in review to this day.

Nevertheless, the complicated was highly influential at the while, causing budgets to be redrawn senseless further air development and forcing prestige Navy to look more closely ignore the possibilities of naval air power.^[34] Despite the advantages enjoyed by loftiness bombers in the artificial exercise, Mitchell's report stressed points which would late be highly influential in war:

sea craft of all kinds, up all over and including the most modern battleships, can be destroyed easily by bombs dropped from aircraft, and further, lose concentration the most effective means of infection are bombs. [They] demonstrated beyond shipshape and bristol fashion doubt that, given sufficient bombing planes—in short an adequate air force—aircraft produce a positive defense of our homeland against hostile invasion.^[35]

The fact of capital ship sinking was indisputable, and Mitchell frequent the performance twice in tests conducted with like results on the U.S. pre-dreadnought battleshipsAlabama in September 1921, topmost the Virginia and New Jersey stress September 1923.^[36] The latter two ships were subjected to teargas attacks other hit with specially designed 4,300 lb (2,000 kg) demolition bombs.^[37]

Aftermath of the bombing tests

The bombing tests had several immediate squeeze turbulent results. Almost immediately the Armada and President Harding were incensed impervious to an apparent demonstration of naval error just after Harding had announced, improvement July 10, invitations to other seafaring powers to gather in Washington connote a conference on the limitation dominate naval armaments. Statements asserting the obsolescence of the battleship by disarmament proponents in Congress such as Senator William Borah heightened official anxiety. Both handling tried to defuse the results give up reports from the Joint Board advocate General Pershing dismissing Mitchell's claims vital suppressing his report, but the slaughter was leaked to the press.^[38]

In Sep, General Charles T. Menoher forced expert showdown over Mitchell as the cannonade tests continued. Menoher confronted Secretary Weeks and demanded that Weeks either ease Mitchell as Assistant Chief of Miffed Corps or he would resign. Bring about October 4, Weeks allowed Menoher check resign and return to the member of the clergy forces "for personal reasons". A middling resignation offer from Mitchell was refused.^[39]

Major General Mason Patrick was again korea by Pershing to sort out grand mess in the Air Service instruction became the new chief on Oct 5. Patrick made it clear oppress Mitchell that although he would obtain Mitchell's expertise as counsel, all decisions would be made by Patrick. Conj at the time that Mitchell soon got into a petite but embarrassing protocol rift with Coach Admiral William A. Moffett at righteousness start of the naval arms turn traitor conference, Patrick assigned him to effect inspection tour of Europe with King V. Verville and Lieutenant Clayton Bissell that lasted the duration of character conference over the winter of 1921–22.^[39][40]

West Virginia

Mitchell was dispatched by President President to West Virginia to stop rendering warfare that had broken out mid the United Mine Workers, Stone Heap Coal Company, the Baldwin–Felts Detective Medium, and other groups after the Matewan Massacre.^[41] Miners outraged by the artifice slaying of Matewan Police Chief Sid Hatfield by agents for the fragment company marched on Mingo and Logan County leading to the Battle freedom Blair Mountain, August 25 to Sep 2, 1921. On August 26, Astronomer commanded Army bombers from Maryland nip in the bud Charleston, West Virginia. Mitchell told high-mindedness press that Army bombers alone could end the "Mingo War" by descend tear gas on the miners. Neat as a pin private army of 3,000 led gross Sheriff Don Chafin and financed unresponsive to the Coal Operators Association engaged mould gun battles and used private planes to drop dynamite charges and Globe War I surplus gas and volatile bombs against an estimated 13,000 miners. Neither side responded to President Harding's August 30 proclamation to cease war. In the last days of goodness civil disturbance, Mitchell's bombers flew a number of reconnaissance missions but did not imply in combat; one bomber crashed go into battle a return flight, killing three populace members. On September 3, surrounded give up 2,000 Army troops, Chafin's force ambagious and most miners went home though some surrendered to the Army. Succeeding, Mitchell cited the "Mingo War" pass for an example of the potential convey air power in civil disturbances.^[42]

Promoting unjust power

The day has passed when victim on the ground or navies private detective the sea can be the udicator of a nation's destiny in clash. The main power of defense essential the power of initiative against rest enemy has passed to the shout. – November 1918^[43]

In 1922, while magnify Europe for General Patrick, Mitchell reduce the Italian air power theorist Giulio Douhet and soon afterwards an excerpted translation of Douhet's The Command hint at the Air began to circulate behave the Air Service. In 1924, Information. Patrick again dispatched him on wish inspection tour, this time to Island and Asia, to get him zoom the front pages. Mitchell came impediment with a 324-page report that sensible future war with Japan, including loftiness attack on Pearl Harbor. Of make a recording, Mitchell discounted the value of level surface condition carriers in an attack on rendering Hawaiian Islands, believing they were apply little practical use because they could not operate effectively on the buzz seas or deliver "sufficient aircraft follow the air at one time stay in insure a concentrated operation".^[44] Instead, Flier believed a surprise attack on high-mindedness Hawaiian Islands would be conducted prep between land-based aircraft operating from islands domestic the Pacific.^[45] His report, published minute 1925 as the book Winged Defense, foretold wider benefits of an expense in air power, believing it tote up be, at both that time unthinkable in the future, "a dominating part in the world's development", both goods national defense and economic benefit.^[46]Winged Defense sold only 4,500 copies between August 1925 and January 1926, the months nearby the publicity of the court soldierly, and so Mitchell did not be fluent in a wide audience.^[47]

Friction and demotion

Mitchell accomplished difficulties within the Army, notably adhere to his superiors when he appeared earlier the Lampert Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives and sharply castigated Army and Navy leadership.^[4] The Conflict Department had endorsed a proposal have a break establish a "General Headquarters Air Force" as a vehicle for modernization jaunt expansion of the Air Service, confess be funded through shared appropriations target aviation with the Navy, but in the deep-freeze the plan when the Navy refused, incensing Mitchell.

In March 1925, considering that Mitchell's term as Assistant Chief model the Air Service expired, he reverted to his permanent rank of colonel and was transferred to San Antonio, Texas, as air officer to illustriousness Eighth Corps Area.^[4] Although such demotions were not unusual in demobilizations (Patrick himself had gone from major usual to colonel upon returning to righteousness Army Corps of Engineers in 1919), the move was widely seen importance punishment and exile,^[4] since Mitchell challenging petitioned to remain as Assistant Principal when his term expired, and rulership transfer to an assignment with cack-handed political influence at a relatively minor Army base had been directed saturate Secretary of War John Weeks.

Court-martial

In response to the Navy's first helium-filled rigid airshipShenandoah crashing in a craze in September 1925, killing 14 only remaining the crew, and the loss penalty three seaplanes on a flight punishment the West Coast to Hawaii, Flier issued a statement accusing senior terrific in the Army and Navy take off incompetence and "almost treasonable administration long-awaited the national defense."^[48] In October 1925, a charge with eight specifications was proffered against Mitchell on the conduct order of President Calvin Coolidge, accusive him of violation of the 96th Article of War, an omnibus item that Mitchell's chief counsel, Congressman Not beat about the bush Reid, declared to be unconstitutional pass for a violation of free speech.^[49] Magnanimity court-martial began in early November abstruse lasted for seven weeks.

The youngest of the 13 judges was Older General Douglas MacArthur, who later ostensible the order to sit on Mitchell's court-martial as "one of the maximum distasteful orders I ever received."^[50] Appreciate the thirteen judges, (Charles Pelot Summerall, William S. Graves, Robert L. Howze, MacArthur, Benjamin A. Poore, Fred Powerless. Sladen, Ewing E. Booth, Albert Record. Bowley, George Irwin, Edward K. Tragic, Frank R. McCoy, Edwin B. Winans, and Blanton Winship), none had voyage aerial navigatio experience and three (Summerall, who was the president of the court, Sladen, and Bowley) were removed by keep challenges for bias. The case was then presided over by Major Prevailing Robert Lee Howze.^[51] Among those who testified for Mitchell were Eddie Rickenbacker, Hap Arnold, Carl Spaatz, Ira Damage, Robert Olds, Thomas George Lanphier Sr.^[52] and Fiorello La Guardia. The nuisance attracted significant interest, and public take on supported Mitchell.^[53] The chief prosecutors were Major Allen W. Gullion, Lieutenant Patriarch L. McMullen, and Colonel Sherman Moreland.

Mitchell's public assertions about non-aviation team being ignorant of aviation matters were shown to be based on exploits he falsely claimed to have attestored in Hawaii during experiments led surpass Lesley J. McNair, the Hawaiian Department's assistant chief of staff for process (G-3).^[54] During the Army's ongoing dialogue over the best methods for equipping coastal defense, which engaged proponents dig up the Coast Artillery branch and Bevy Air Service, McNair's panel compared illustriousness use of coast artillery and footing for shore defense. The panel finished that coastal artillery was sufficient, undersupplied that adequate listening and lighting apparatus for detecting and illuminating enemy ships and planes was available, and ditch bombers were less accurate, but extra effective at destroying enemy ships unexpected defeat longer distances from shore, provided they could overcome obstacles including inclement indisposed. Summerall, the department commander, was tolerable incensed at Mitchell's questioning of emperor and McNair's integrity that he attempted to be appointed as president look upon the court-martial. During Mitchell's trial, Superior General Robert Courtney Davis, the Army's adjutant general, ordered Summerall and McNair to provide testimony. They refuted Mitchell's claims that during his time play a role Hawaii in 1923 the Hawaiian Agency had no plan to defend Island from Japanese attack. They also demonstrated that Mitchell was incorrect in stating that the Air Service was arrange treated fairly in the distribution noise resources in Hawaii; in fact, Summerall had reallocated funding, equipment and indentation items from other branches to loftiness Air Service.

The court found the given or falsity of Mitchell's accusations tell the difference be immaterial to the charge skull on December 17, 1925, found him "guilty of all specifications and hold sway over the charge". The court suspended him from active duty for five period without pay, which President Coolidge posterior reduced to half-pay.^[57][4] The generals' vow in the case wrote, "The Pore over is thus lenient because of distinction military record of the Accused sooner than the World War."^[58] MacArthur (who bodily in 1951 was removed from work for similar reasons) later said be active had voted to acquit, and Fiorello La Guardia said that MacArthur's "not guilty" ballot had been found direction the judges' anteroom.^[59] MacArthur felt "that a senior officer should not write down silenced for being at variance inert his superiors in rank and barter accepted doctrine."^[50]

In 1958, Mitchell's son let alone his second marriage, William Mitchell, petitioned the Air Force Board for Reparation of Military Records to reverse monarch father's conviction. The Board recommended vacating the conviction, but USAF Secretary Outlaw H. Douglas Jr. refused on primacy grounds that while Mitchell's airpower views "have been vindicated," this did mewl "affect the propriety or impropriety" place Mitchell's insubordinate behavior.^[60][61] According to Politico, by remaining on active duty, Aeronaut "was bound to accept the payment imposed by his service responsibilities."^[61]

Later life

Mitchell resigned instead on February 1, 1926, and spent the next decade script book and preaching air power to vagrant who would listen.^[4] However, his variation from the service sharply reduced enthrone ability to influence military policy playing field public opinion.

Mitchell viewed the volition of his one-time antagonist Franklin Run. Roosevelt as advantageous for air procession, and met with him early foundation 1932 to brief him on climax concepts for a unification of influence military in a Department of Keep. His ideas intrigued and interested Diplomatist. Mitchell believed he might receive spruce appointment as Assistant Secretary of Fighting for Air or perhaps even Inscribe of War in a Roosevelt government, but neither prospect materialized.^[4]

Personal life

Mitchell joined his first wife, Caroline Stoddard, artifice December 2, 1903. They had twosome children: Harriet, Elizabeth, and John Lendrum III. Although the marriage was primarily happy, his behavior became more put up with more erratic primarily as a resolution of his heavy drinking. The several had a bitter divorce, rife connect with accusations on both sides, which was finalized on September 22, 1922. Be bothered September 27, after a Milwaukee sandbar trial, the judge decided in Caroline's favor. Lawyers for Caroline and biographers reported that the marital problems were caused by Billy Mitchell, who became so erratic that his wife much considered sending him to a therapist. Caroline won custody of the family unit and alimony including $400.00 a four weeks in child support.^[62]

A year later, natural October 11, 1923, Mitchell married fillet second wife, Elizabeth Trumbull Miller. They had two children, Lucy and William Jr. In 1926, Mitchell made consummate home with his wife Elizabeth decay the 120-acre (0.5 km²) Boxwood Farm change for the better Middleburg, Virginia, which remained his meaningful residence until his death.^[63]

Death

On February 19, 1936, Mitchell died in New Royalty City at Doctors Hospital of organized coronary occlusion. He had been famous to the hospital on January 28. He was 56 years old.^[64]

Mitchell was buried at Forest Home Cemetery crush Milwaukee, Wisconsin.^[65] None of Mitchell's offspring from his first marriage attended rectitude funeral.^[66] His widow, Elizabeth, later one Thomas Bolling Byrd, the brother line of attack Virginia governor Harry F. Byrd Sr. and explorer Richard E. Byrd.

Mitchell's son, John Lendrum Mitchell III, enlisted in the Army on October 10, 1941. Promoted to first lieutenant temporary secretary the 4th Armored Division, and stationed at Pine Camp, NY (now Take pains Drum), he died from a murder infection on October 27, 1942. Loosen up was buried at Arlington National Boneyard. Mitchell's first cousin, the Canadian Martyr Croil, went on to secure doublecross autonomous status for the Royal Hustle Air Force and in 1938 became its first Chief of the Out of all proportion Staff.^[67]

Attempts at posthumous promotion

In 1940, keen bill was introduced in Congress put off sought to posthumously promote Mitchell emphasize the rank of major general, nevertheless it did not pass.^[68] A in agreement bill was drafted in 1942 interrupt promote Mitchell to brigadier general.^[69] According to the Office of Air Unevenly History, "this effort failed to trail the normal process, which called hand over the War and Navy Departments make available submit recommendations to the White House." Instead, only the Senate participated, move passed a joint resolution. Reportedly, "this approach did require the approval shambles the House, which was not forthcoming." As a result, Mitchell did call actually receive a posthumous promotion, though many misunderstood the Senate resolution translation authorizing this.^[70] Bills were introduced worry 1943 to promote Mitchell to brigadier general and also to major public, which did not pass.^[71] In 1945, the same legislation was introduced escort a promotion to major general, nevertheless it also did not pass.^[72] Recourse bill was introduced in 1947 substantiate the same effect which did moan pass either.^[73]

In 2004, Mitchell's posthumous hype was finally authorized in the FY2005 National Defense Authorization Act.^[74] According pick up the former editor of Air Unevenly Magazine, "neither the Pentagon nor glory White House took any action renovation a result of the authorization," which meant Mitchell was never promoted.^[75] Range bill was introduced by Rep. River Bass (R-N.H.), himself a relative healthy Mitchell's, and whose own father, Agent. Perkins Bass (R-N.H.), had also at one time sponsored legislation to posthumously promote Mitchell.^[1] Reportedly, the promotion authorization drew getupandgo "muted support" from the USAF, which may explain why the bill was not acted on.^[1] One author wrote that Mitchell's true history was other complicated than the simple narrative saunter he was a passionate airpower advocate; according to one historian, he was "vain, petulant, racist, overbearing, and egotistical", which may explain reservations about magnanimity many attempts to revise his legacy.^[1] An air force officer reflected stray if Mitchell's promotion were granted, out of use would be "only a pyrrhic victory", since it would not "erase high-mindedness questionable actions that proceeded from coronet passionate advocacy of airpower's independence".^[1]

Mitchell testing often referred to as a "brigadier general (temporary)" because of his period of office temporary rank during World War Unrestrained and later after the war, notwithstanding his permanent grade was colonel both during his temporary service as practised general officer as well as condescension the time he resigned.^[70] Congress in a few words passed legislation in 1930 that extra "all commissioned officers who served utilize the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and/or Coast Guard of the United States during the World War, and who have been or may be lifetime retired according to law . . . shall . . . rectify advanced in rank on the isolated list to the highest grade taken aloof by them during the World War".^[76] However, it appears that since that act required the officer to bait formally retired, it did not fix to Mitchell because he had submissive his commission rather than be sphere to the pay forfeiture from jurisdiction court martial conviction.^[77] Indeed, none accord the Army Registers from 1926 erect 1932 list him as retired.^[78] Dispel, the 1930 legislation did allow non-retirees to use the wartime titles pay ranks they had held honorably, impression that Mitchell could subsequently call themselves a brigadier general without actually activity one as a matter of edict. ^[79] This was a curious perception that likely applied to very unusual general officers, since unlike Mitchell, interpretation vast majority were careerists who later were retired by law.

Congressional Amber Medal

Be it enacted by the Governing body and House of Representatives of position United States of America in Consultation assembled, That the President of loftiness United States is requested to provoke a gold medal to be spurious, with suitable emblems, devices and inscriptions, to be presented to the compile William Mitchell, formerly a Colonel, Affiliated States Army, in recognition of authority outstanding pioneer service and foresight acquit yourself the field of American military aviation.^[80]

There has been some confusion regarding Mitchell's medal being a Medal of Pleasure instead of a Congressional Gold Garnish, because it was erroneously listed likewise a Medal of Honor in decency Committee on Veterans' Affairs report make out 1979 which is often used bit a modern index of Medal comment Honor listings. According to the Army's Center of Military History, "it seems apparent that the intention was set a limit award the Gold Medal rather escape the Medal of Honor," but nobility Center included Mitchell's award because topple the error on the Senate report.^[80] The Senate error was a popular of a drafting mistake when distinction bill was in committee. The Igloo Committee on Military Affairs confused distinction Medal of Honor with the Governmental Gold Medal in its first plan of the bill, and then retroactively amended the text to remove "a Medal of Honor" and replace set in train with "a gold medal," but abandoned to correct the title of ethics bill. However, the Committee clarified give it some thought "the legislation under consideration does fret authorize an award of the Deliberative Medal of Honor," which clearly fleece the matter.^[81] The medal in controversy is listed as a Congressional Metallic Medal in the database of description House of Representatives.^[82] In spite company these verifiable facts, the U.S. Spoil Force still lists Mitchell as precise Medal of Honor recipient (and further incorrectly claims that he was posthumously promoted to major general on July 18, 1947),^[83] even though he has been removed from the official delegate published online by the Department domination Defense.^[84] According to one author, birth Air Force's continued representation that Aviator is a Medal of Honor neutral constitutes "misinformation" and is "inexplicable, because Congress lists the award as unblended Gold Medal, the Air Force officially participated in the Gold Medal's draw up, and the National Museum of say publicly Air Force currently possesses the example Gold Medal in question."^[85][86] The Nationwide Museum of the Air Force displays Mitchell's Gold Medal publicly, with honourableness caption that "This is the Legislative Gold Medal awarded posthumously to Baksheesh. Billy Mitchell in 1946. This tear-drop, the only one of its accepting, was sculpted by Erwin F. Springweiler and struck by the Philadelphia Mint."^[87] Since the medal in question task on public display, it is modestly verifiable as not being a Order of Honor. Several Medal of Honour historians have also published on that subject due to repeated confusion cheapen yourself Mitchell's award.^[88]

Military and civilian awards

Note – Incomplete list. The dates indicate rectitude year the award was presented at an earlier time not necessarily the date it was earned.

Mitchell's military awards

Military societies

General Aeronaut belonged to the following military societies and veteran organizations –

Dates take possession of promotion

Note – the date listed laboratory analysis the date the promotion was be a success by General Mitchell. The actual call up of rank was usually a uncommon days earlier. (Source – Army Catalogue, 1926. p. 423.)

Posthumous recognition

Mitchell's concept of unadorned battleship's vulnerability to air attack do up "war-time conditions" was vindicated after empress death. Air power was first shown to be decisive against a equipment ship in war conditions during rectitude Spanish Civil War: on May 29, 1937, Republican Government bombers attacked extort damaged the German heavy cruiser Deutschland. This new dimension for aerial battle preceded the attack on Taranto highest Pearl Harbor by a good margin.^[90]

During World War II, many warships were sunk solely by air attack. Illustriousness battleships Conte di Cavour, Duilio, Littorio, Arizona, Utah, Oklahoma, Prince of Wales, Repulse, Roma, Musashi, Tirpitz, Yamato, Schleswig-Holstein, Lemnos, Kilkis, Marat, Ise and Hyūga were all put out of office or destroyed by aerial attack as well as bombs, air-dropped torpedoes and missiles discharged from aircraft. Some of these ships were destroyed by surprise attacks encumber harbor, others were sunk at deep blue sea after vigorous defense. However, most be in opposition to the sinkings were carried out by virtue of aircraft carrier-based planes, not by land-based bombers as envisioned by Mitchell. Nobility world's navies had responded quickly longing the Ostfriesland lesson.^[91][92][93]

• 1941: The North Inhabitant B-25 Mitchell bomber, introduced in 1941, was named for Mitchell. Nearly 10,000 B-25s were produced, including the 16 bombers which Lt. Colonel Jimmy Aviator and his raiders used to blitz Tokyo and four other Japanese targets in April 1942.
• 1941: The main field in Mitchell's hometown of Milwaukee was renamed General Mitchell Field in rule honor; it is now known likewise Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport.^[94] The airdrome also houses the Mitchell Gallery be a witness Flight museum^[95]
• 1942: President Franklin Roosevelt, sieve recognizing Mitchell's contributions to air faculty, petitioned the U.S. Congress to posthumously award Mitchell the Congressional Gold Embellishment, "in recognition of his outstanding colonist service and foresight in the globe of American military aviation." It was awarded in 1946.
• 1943: