Mitchell, now known as the "Father of the U.S. Air Force," fought against the short-sightedness of top military leaders regarding air power after World War I. He went on to embarrass the Navy by proving that aircraft could indeed sink destroyers, which had been thought impossible. He was ultimately court-martialed for insubordination, and his contributions were grudgingly acknowledged after his death.

With the air of a conqueror --I am naturally a sort of soldier -- Good men ... running around in circles -- It's mostly the navy, but it's old-fashioned generals too -- Give us the ships to attack and come out and watch it -- You are throwing the navy into convulsions -- Kill, lay out and bury this great ship -- The biggest man in the country -- Sorrowfully we broke up this splendid little air force -- The military spirit of Germany is by no means crushed -- Air power doesn't seem to be getting anywhere -- The Japanese are now boiling over -- The only question is how and when and where -- A vehicle for propaganda -- General Mitchell's course has been so lawless -- Almost treasonable administration -- America will endure as long as there are Mitchells -- The most august tribunal ... since the Magna Carta -- This ain't a vaudeville show -- Nothing more than prediction and prophecy -- This factless statement -- Damned rot! -- Why, these men are my friends! -- My valves are all shot.