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General Billy Mitchell, American Aviator

Friday, August 19, 2022

12:00 PM to 12:00 AM EDT

In Person | Virtual

Attend this Event

Presenter:

John V. Quarstein, director emeritus of the USS Monitor Center

About the presentation:

General William ‘Billy’ Mitchell is considered the founder of the US Air Force. He learned to fly at Curtiss Flying School in Newport News, Virginia. Armed with his pilot wings, he went to France in 1917 and, due to his outstanding leadership traits, eventually became brigadier general as Chief of Air Service, US Third Army. He was appointed Assistant Chief of the Air Service during the post-WWI era and pushed for the acceptance of air power as the best way to defend America’s shores. To test his idea, Mitchell organized a strike force at Langley Field, Hampton, Virginia, using his command to sink several battleships with bombs. He was highly critical of Army and Navy leadership for choosing to invest in battleships, not aircraft carriers. In 1925, he was court-martialed for insubordination and later resigned from service.

John V. Quarstein

Registration information:

Advance registration is required whether you attend the lecture in person or online.

Blue icon. in person.

In person 
Free for Museum Members.
$1 for guests

green icon. virtual

Virtual
This lecture is livestreamed
and free to watch online


Can’t attend?
No problem! Many of our programs and lectures are uploaded to our YouTube Channel shortly afterward.

For additional assistance, questions or support, please contact us at: [email protected]

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