Review, Billy Mitchell: Crusader for Air Power

Ironically, I was waiting for a C-17 flight that had been delayed several times. Despite my ten years of service, it would be my first flight in a military aircraft. I didn't mind the delay; I had this book and a big bag of sunflower seeds in my backpack to pass the time. What better time to read about air power from its early roots while waiting for a ride on a C-17. Even as an Airman, my knowledge of Billy Mitchell was minimal and I promised myself that I would remedy this when I got the chance. And so, I had my opportunity.

The book was written in 1964 by Alfred F. Hurley and was revised in 1975. The mention of Mitchell's personal life and childhood are discussed very briefly. The book primarily chronicles his military career, and as the title states, his crusade for political support toward increasing development of air power in the U.S. and the establishment of a separate Air Force. Hurley wrote the book in a manner to chronologically trace Mitchell's military career from his time in the Signal Corp, his experiences in WWI, his study of aerial achievement abroad, his pursuit toward advancing America's air arm and ultimately through his court martial.

Taking into consideration the era of Mitchell's efforts to promote his ideals versus the book's publication date, the central theme to the book is to highlight his foresight for the future of air power. One could say that he walked a fine line between confidence and arrogance. Mitchell made no efforts to quell his assertiveness, despite pressure from his superiors. He stood his ground and continued to press his agenda. Although he paid the price for his insubordination, his quest to promote his ideals and the manner in which history eventually unfolded provide a justifiable argument that the end justified the means. Unfortunately, Mitchell passed away before he could witness the effectiveness of air power in WWII and the establishment of the Air Force as an independent service.

This book was a good read. By no means was I on the edge of my seat in any portion of the book, but I was able to learn a great deal about an Air Force pioneer. I admired Mitchell's courage and and sacrifice. He put his career and reputation on the line for the greater good of the nation. History has proven that he came along at the right time. Although his unwelcome ideals were ahead of his time and they taxed the imagination of his contemporaries, they were also introduced at the right time. Despite the untimely lag in gaining wide acceptance of his many propositions, the conclusions they drew from his studies and his convictions concerning air power became the pillars of Air Force doctrine and still stand nearly a century after the fact.