Our Air Force- The Keystone of National Defense

In Our Air Force The Keystone of National Defense, William (Billy) Mitchell, a visionary U.S. Army officer who commanded all air operations in France during World War I, passionately champions the significance of air power in modern warfare. Foreseeing that bombers would become the pivotal weapon in future conflicts, Mitchell advocated for the establishment of a robust and independent U.S. Air Force, urging a reallocation of military funds away from battleships, which he believed would be easily defeated by enemy aircraft. His relentless pursuit of reform and candid critiques of military policy ultimately led to his court martial and dismissal in 1925. This compelling narrative of Mitchell’s struggle against the War Department was later dramatized in the 1955 film The Court-Martial of Billy Mitchell, starring Gary Cooper. Through this influential 1921 book, Mitchell seeks to enlighten the public about the critical role of air power in national defense. - Summary by Ted Lienhart