Billy Mitchell's Act Of 2, 1926: The Air Corps Act (1926)

On July 2, 1926 The Air Corps Act became law with the recommendations from the Morrow Board. This allowed an additional Assistant Secretary of War position. The whole point of this position was to foster military aeronautics and establish a General Staff dedicated to each air section within each division. According to Wesley F Craven and James L. Cate (the official history of the United States Army Air Forces) concluded that:

"The bill which was finally enacted purported to be a compromise, but it leaned heavily on the Morrow recommendations. The Air Corps Act of 2 July 1926 effected no fundamental innovation. The change in designation meant no change in status: The Air Corps was still a combatant branch of the Army with less prestige than the Infantry." (Craven and Cate Vol1 p.29.)

Not to mention the National Defense Act of 1920 which made it so that the aviation branches were commanded by only rated personnel and USAAC would retain the branch insignia of the “Prop and Wings” until disbandment in 1947.

One individual that fought for a separate air branch was Billy Mitchell. William ‘Billy’ Mitchell was a crusader who had the vision to understand the potential of air power long before his contemporaries. He was an ambitious person and would not let anyone oppose his views on air power, especially his military and civilian superiors. He not only foresaw that an air force was essential to national survival, but also educated the public and its leaders on the role that the airplane would eventually play in national life. General Mitchell became known for his foresight and willingness to sacrifice his career for his beliefs to better the