Henry H. Arnold

Henry H. Arnold

Henry Harley “Hap” Arnold (25 June 1886 – 15 January 1950) was an American general officer. He became one of the most important leaders in aviation history. Arnold was one of the first military pilots in the world. He learned to fly from the famous Wright Brothers.

During World War I, Arnold helped expand the Air Service. Later, he became Chief of the Air Corps and then commanding general of the United States Army Air Forces. He guided the Army Air Forces through a time of huge growth just before and during World War II. Under his leadership, new technologies like the intercontinental bomber, jet fighters, radar, and atomic warfare were developed.

Arnold also founded Project RAND. It later became the RAND Corporation, a major global policy research group. He helped start Pan American World Airways, one of the first international airlines. His nickname “Hap” came from his time as a silent film stunt pilot. His leadership helped shape modern air power and aviation.

Early life and career

Henry H. Arnold was born on June 25, 1886, in Gladwyne, Pennsylvania. He grew up in a military family. His father was a physician from the Arnold Family. His mother was from a "Dunker" farm family.

Arnold went to Lower Merion High School in Ardmore, Pennsylvania. He later joined the United States Military Academy at West Point. His brother encouraged him to take the exam, and he decided to join.

Arnold loved aviation from a young age. He moved to the Signal Corps to become a pilot. He learned to fly at the Wright brothers school in Dayton, Ohio. He became one of the first military pilots. He taught others, set new height records, and made many important flights. Even after some scary accidents, Arnold kept improving his skills and helped grow military aviation in the United States.

Between the wars

Henry Arnold worked with other people who believed in airpower when planes were still controlled by the army. He had some disagreements but kept working for an independent air force. Arnold’s work helped prepare the way for the future of the U.S. Air Force.

Arnold took on many jobs and faced health problems, but he kept pushing for better aviation. He worked on important projects and helped shape the future of airpower in the United States.

World War II

See also: Air warfare of World War II

The United States Army Air Forces began in June 1941, before Germany attacked the Soviet Union. Henry Arnold became Chief of the Army Air Forces. He worked to grow the air force and helped plan ways to defend places and attack enemies.

After the U.S. joined World War II, Arnold asked for more airplanes and pilots. He supported women pilots through the Women's Flying Training Detachment, led by Jacqueline Cochran. Arnold focused on using B-29 bombers to attack Japan, working hard to prepare them for use.

Final years

Between 1943 and 1945, Arnold had health problems, including heart issues that needed care. Even so, he kept traveling and working during World War II. He visited many places such as the United Kingdom, North Africa, China, the Middle East, Italy, Normandy, Germany, and Potsdam. He stayed dedicated despite his health.

After the war, Arnold became a General of the Army and then the first and only General of the Air Force. He helped begin Project RAND, which became the RAND Corporation, an important research group. Arnold retired in 1946 and lived on a ranch in Sonoma, California, where he wrote his memoirs called Global Mission. In 1949, his rank was changed to General of the Air Force, a title he still holds alone.

Death

Henry H. Arnold passed away on 15 January 1950 at his home in Sonoma. He was honored with a state funeral in Washington, D.C., which included special services at Arlington Memorial Amphitheater. He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

Arnold's three surviving sons all graduated from West Point and became colonels in the military. The two youngest sons served in the United States Air Force and were also buried near their father's grave at Arlington National Cemetery.

Legacy

General H. H. Arnold Field (Athletic Field) at Lower Merion High School, Ardmore, Pennsylvania, is named for Arnold. Arnold Air Force Base, Tennessee, and the Arnold Engineering Development Complex are named after him. The Air Force Research Laboratory sees Arnold as a leader who understood the importance of research.

The cadet social center at the United States Air Force Academy, Arnold Hall, and the Arnold Hall Community Center at Lackland Air Force Base near San Antonio, Texas, are both named for Arnold. The Civil Air Patrol gives an award called the Hap Arnold Award to cadets. The Air Force Association gives the H. H. Arnold Award for important contributions to national defense.

Arnold was appointed to the rank of General of the Army in 1944, joining a very small group of top military leaders. In 1967, he was honored by the National Aviation Hall of Fame, and in 1972, by the International Air & Space Hall of Fame. During the last mission of the Space Shuttle Endeavour, STS-134, a special five-star insignia connected to Arnold was carried into space.

Film

Arnold was shown in the 1954 film The Glenn Miller Story, played by Barton MacLane. He also appeared as himself in the 1942 short film Men of the Sky, speaking to new pilots at a training base.

Summary of service

Henry Harley "Hap" Arnold was an important leader in the early days of aviation and the U.S. Air Force. He was Chief of the Air Corps from 1938 to 1941 and later became the commanding general of the United States Army Air Forces. Arnold was the only officer to hold a five-star rank in two different U.S. military services: the Army and the Air Force.

Arnold helped start Project RAND, which later became the RAND Corporation, an important global policy think tank. He was also one of the founders of Pan American World Airways, an early international airline. His work helped shape modern air travel and military aviation.

Main article: Ranks of Henry H. Arnold

	Cadet, United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, 1903
no insignia of rank in 1907	Second lieutenant, Infantry: 14 June 1907
	First lieutenant, Infantry: 10 April 1913
	Captain, Aviation Section, Signal Corps (ASSC): 20 May 1916
	Captain, Infantry: 23 September 1916
	Major, ASSC: 27 June 1917
	Colonel, Signal Corps, National Army: 5 August 1917
	Major, Infantry: —Temporary: 15 January 1918 —Permanent Establishment: 1 July 1920
	Major, Air Service: 11 August 1920
	Lieutenant colonel, Air Corps: 1 February 1931
	Brigadier general: —Temporary: 2 March 1935 —Assistant Chief of Air Corps: 24 December 1935 —Permanent: 2 December 1940
	Colonel, Air Corps: 1 March 1936
	Major general: —Chief of Air Corps: 22 September 1938 —Permanent: 3 February 1941
	Lieutenant general, Army of the United States: 15 December 1941
	General, Army of the United States: 19 March 1943
	General of the Army: —Temporary, Army of the United States: 21 December 1944 —Permanent: 23 March 1946
	Placed on retired list: 30 June 1946
	General of the Air Force, United States Air Force: 7 May 1949

Awards and decorations

General Henry H. Arnold received many awards and decorations for his service. He was honored for his leadership and work in aviation and the military. These awards showed his important role in helping to build air forces and support global policies.

Published works

General Henry H. "Hap" Arnold wrote many books about flying and airplanes. Some of his non-fiction books are Airmen and Aircraft: An Introduction to Aeronautics from 1926, Wings over America from 1943, and Global Mission from 1949. He also wrote books with Ira Eaker, like This Flying Game and Winged Warfare.

Arnold wrote fun children’s books about a character named Bill Bruce. These books include Bill Bruce Becomes an Ace, Bill Bruce in the Trans-continental Race, and Bill Bruce on Forest Patrol, all published in 1928.