Henry H. Arnold
Aviation pioneer and architect of the world's most powerful air force.
Unknown authorUnknown author · via Wikipedia: Henry H. Arnold · Public domain
Henry Harley "Hap" Arnold was a five-star general who served as Chief of the Air Corps and commanding general of the United States Army Air Forces.[1] Arnold also founded Project RAND, which later became the RAND Corporation.[1] Arnold was among the initial three pilots to receive a rating in the U.S. Air Force's history and helped establish Pan American World Airways.[1][2]
Quick Facts
- Nickname
- "Hap"
- "Pewt"
- "Benny"
- "The Chief"
- Born
- 25 June 1886
- Birthplace
- Gladwyne, Pennsylvania, U.S.
- Died
- 15 January 1950
- Place of death
- Sonoma, California, U.S.
- Burial place
- Arlington National Cemetery
- Allegiance
- United States
- Branch
- United States Army
- Army Air Service
- Army Air Corps
- Army Air Forces
- United States Air Force
Facts from the source article.
Life and work
Arnold was born on 25 June 1886 in Gladwyne, Pennsylvania, to physician Dr. Herbert Alonzo Arnold and Anna Louise Harley.[3][4] He graduated from Lower Merion High School in 1903 and entered West Point at age 17.[5][6] He set altitude records in 1911 and 1912, and became the first U.S. pilot to carry mail.[7] After several crashes and the death of fellow pilots, Arnold developed a fear of flying and grounded himself in 1912.[8][9][10]
He became Chief of the Air Corps on 29 September 1938 and was promoted to major general.[11]
What the cited sources add
A 2021 article by Kindy reports that Arnold designed his own pilot badge with Thomas Milling and was buried with it.[12] Kindy notes that Arnold later ordered commanders to "take affirmative action to insure that equity in training and assignment opportunity is provided all personnel"[12] Kindy records that Arnold suffered four heart attacks during World War II and died of cardiac problems in 1950.[12] According to the article, the Air Force, newly established under Arnold's direction, became the initial service branch to achieve full integration following President Harry S. Truman's executive order.[12]
References
- Wikipedia, "Henry H. Arnold" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: "Henry Harley "Hap" Arnold", arlingtoncemetery.net – an unofficial website, 2011 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "Henry H. Arnold" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Arnold, Capt. Charles DeF. Chandler, and Lt. Thomas Milling all qualified for the rating on 5 July 1912. Milling received the first certificate while Arnold was (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "Henry H. Arnold" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: "Historical Data on Air Force Generals, 1918 to 1951", Air Force Historical Research Agency, March 1951, p. 737 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "Henry H. Arnold" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Daso 2013 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "Henry H. Arnold" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: "The History of Lower Merion High School", LMH Aliumni Association, 2011 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "Henry H. Arnold" (CC BY-SA 4.0) en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "Henry H. Arnold" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; Kindy, "How Gen. Henry 'Hap' Arnold, the Architect of American Air Power, Overcame His Fear of Flying", 10 March 2021 (we also read that source) en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "Henry H. Arnold" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: ; Daso 1996; Kindy, "How Gen. Henry 'Hap' Arnold, the Architect of American Air Power, Overcame His Fear of Flying", 10 March 2021; Also killed in the crash was 2d Lieutenant Leighton W. Hazelhurst Jr. (we also read that source) en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "Henry H. Arnold" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: On 9 February 1914, Lieutenant Henry Post was flying this aircraft near San Diego in an attempt to establish an altitude record. As Post spiraled down below 600 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "Henry H. Arnold" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Five of the Army's 14 aviators transferred out during 1913.; Daso 1996; ; "Bee" was shortened from "Beetle" or "Beadle", a name given to her by her older brothers. Although Arnold often used "Beadle" in his letters to her, there is no (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "Henry H. Arnold" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: ; Although having a known fondness for White Horse Scotch whisky, especially when mixed as an Old Fashioned cocktail, Arnold's intake had been sharply curtailed s; ; ; Unfortunately, Kilner was compelled to take a medical retirement less than a year later due to a previously undiagnosed heart condition, which apparently so dis; ; ; Development of such a bomber required five years at minimum, of which Arnold was well aware. Known as the "Project A" bomber (with a tactical radius of at least (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
- Kindy, "How Gen. Henry 'Hap' Arnold, the Architect of American Air Power, Overcame His Fear of Flying", 10 March 2021. facts only, no text reused. smithsonianmag.com
Each numbered sentence above was checked against the source it cites before publication. Sentences citing Wikipedia adapt text from the English Wikipedia article Henry H. Arnold (contributors), used under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is available under the same licence. Other sources were used for facts only; no text or images are copied from them.
More in Rulers & Leaders
Elsewhere in Historical Figures
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced