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Who achieved the first powered, sustained, controlled, heavier-than-air airplane
flight in 1903?
The Wright Brothers
The Wright Brothers 1903 flyer design was built with a relatively lightweight
gasoline engine and revolutionary, highly efficient propellers. When and where
did the aircraft successfully fly four manned missions?
17 December 1903 at Kitty Hawk, NC
Who is considered the "father" of flying?
Orville Wright
He was an airpower visionary who called for an air force independent of the US
Army.
Colonel William "Billy" Mitchell
He became the youngest captain ever selected to join the General Staff in 1912.
William "Billy" Mitchell
He joined the Aviation Section of the Signal Corps in 1915 and commanded most
US air combat units during much of 1918.
Colonel William "Billy" Mitchell
,He became Assistant to the Chief of the Air Service and led battleship bombing
trails in 1921.
Colonel William "Billy" Mitchell
The high point of his military career was likely the sinking of the former German
battleship Ostfriesland by the 1st Provisional Air Brigade under his leadership.
Colonel William "Billy" Mitchell
What lead to Colonel William "Billy" Mitchell eventual court-martial ordered by
President Coolidge?
outspoken advocacy of a separate air force, critical remarks about the poor quality
of the Air Service, and criticism of superiors
He was a pioneer aviator and the first commander of an American air unit in the
field.
Major General Benjamin D. "Benny" Foulois
He entered the Aviation Section of the Signal Corps in 1907 and participated in
the acceptance tests of the Army's first semirigid dirigible and it's first airplane,
a Wright flyer designated Signal Corps No. 1, in 1908 and 1909.
Major General Benjamin D. "Benny" Foulois
He completed the organization of the Army's first operational unit, the 1st Aero
Squadron, in 1915.
,Major General Benjamin D. "Benny" Foulois
He commanded the 1st Aero Squadron during the Mexican Punitive Expedition
from 1916-1917 (the first deployment of a US Army air unit to the field).
Major General Benjamin D. "Benny" Foulois
He played a major role in planning and implementing the $640 million aviation
program started after the US entered WWI.
Major General Benjamin D. "Benny" Foulois
He was promoted to brigadier general and named Chief of the Air Service for the
American Expeditionary Force in 1917, but was replaced by General Patrick six
months later.
Major General Benjamin D. "Benny" Foulois
He became Assistant Chief of the Air Service in 1927 and was promoted to major
general and named Chief of the Air Corps 1931.
Major General Benjamin D. "Benny" Foulois
In 1934, whose reputation was damaged when he agreed that the Air Corps
could fly the US mail and they later proved to be ill-equipped.
Major General Benjamin D. "Benny" Foulois
He commanded the US Army Air Forces during WWII and is generally recognized
as the father of the modern USAF.
, General of the Air Force Henry H. "Hap" Arnold
Under his direction, the US Army Air Forces expanded from 22,000 members and
3,900 aircraft to nearly 2.5 million members and 75,000 aircraft.
General of the Air Force Henry H. "Hap" Arnold
His career would then go on to parallel the early development of the US military
aviation, spending most of WWI as the highest-ranking flying officer in
Washington, D.C. and winning two Mackay Trophies for making the most
meritorious military flights in 1912 and 1934.
General of the Air Force Henry H. "Hap" Arnold
Congress appointed him the first and only five-star General of the Air Force in
1949. He was a five-star General of the Army in 1944.
General of the Air Force Henry H. "Hap" Arnold
He was the first Chief of Staff of the USAF and was appointed by President Harry
S. Truman in 1947.
General Carl A. "Tooey" Spaatz
He served in France during WWI and commanded the US Strategic Air Forces in
Europe and was tasked with softening up Hitler's Fortress Europe during WWII.
General Carl A. "Tooey" Spaatz
He oversaw the final strategic bombing campaign against Japan (including the
1945 atomic attacks against Hiroshima and Nagasaki)