Billy Mitchell

:For the Twin Galaxies affiliated player see Billy Mitchell (Pac-Man).

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

William L. (Billy) Mitchell (December 28, 1879–February 19, 1936) was an American general who is regarded as the father of the U.S. Air Force. He is arguably the most famous and most controversial figure in American airpower history.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Born in Nice, France to John L. Mitchell, a wealthy Wisconsin senator and his wife, Mitchell enlisted as a Private at age 18 during the Spanish-American War. Quickly gaining a commission due to his father's intervention, he joined the U.S. Army Signal Corps. He predicted as early as 1906 that future conflicts would take place in the air, not on the ground.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

After tours in the Philippines and Alaska Territory, Mitchell was assigned to the General Staff—at the time, its youngest member at age 32. He became interested in aviation—then assigned to the Signal Corps—and in 1916 at age 38, took private flying lessons because the Army considered him too old and too high-ranking for flight training.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

December 28: December 28 is the 362nd day of the year (363rd in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 3 days remaining....

1879: 1879 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar)....

February 19: February 19 is the 50th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. There are 315 days remaining, 316 in leap years....

Billy Mitchell related Images and Photos (experimental)

Mitchell	Billy Boys	Billy Fury	Billy Dove
Billy Idol	Billy Zane	Billy Jack	Billy Idol
Billy Idol	Billy Fury	Billy Jack	Billy Budd (1962) (DVD)