General Billy Mitchell was a pioneering figure in the early development of military aviation in the United States. Born on December 29, 1879, he served as a pilot during World War I and became an advocate for the use of aircraft in warfare. Mitchell believed that air power was essential for national defense and argued for the establishment of an independent air force. In 1925, he famously conducted a series of tests demonstrating the effectiveness of bombers against naval ships, which challenged traditional military views. His outspoken criticism of military leadership led to a court-martial in 1925, but his ideas ultimately influenced the future of the United States Air Force and modern military strategy.