nd sometimes combat), and had control of a mixture of British and French squadrons. The battle of Saint-Mihiel would be the greatest projection of the power the air force could yield. Mitchells main argument for wanting to have an air force; was that the air fighters could defend the United States coasts. Nevertheless, military leaders were skeptical on the idea that an airplane could destroy a battleship. No one believed that a small airplane could destroy a battleship, but it was not considered that several air fighters could decimate a warship. Mitchell relied on the peoples favorable opinion to convince Congress and other military leaders to show them the true power of an air fighter. During all of this, Mitchell was agitating and annoying many powerful military leaders. They already had thoughts on his future court-martial, but this would only happen if Mitchell did something very radical.In 1921, Mitchell destroyed three German bombers and the U.S.S Alabama; to show the awesome power of an air fighter. Many of Mitchells superiors were enraged because he had not gotten permission to show this kind of activity to the public. However, the Army General Staff remained unconvinced that airpower could win a war. Mitchell became even more agitated. Why could they not see the power of the air force? His increasing rebellion toward his superiors finally led them to court-martial him. Billy Mitchell resigned in 1926. Billy Mitchell died in 1936 and did not live to see the day when the military finally saw the true power the air force could yield. Then in 1946, ten years after his death, he was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. It was in recognition in his excellent pioneer service and foresight in the American Air Force.Billy Mitchell was a man who should be remembered as a hero. Although in his time he was seen as absurd and rebellious, Mitchell in the end was correct in his ideas. He saw the kind of power the air...
