"THE MOST UNUSUAL IN THE ANNALS OF COURT-MARTIALS"

COL. MITCHELL FOUND GUILTY OF INSUBORDINATION, FORFEITS PAY FOR 5 YEARS

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On December 18, 1925, The Evening Star reports that last night Col. William Mitchell* was "meted out punishment of such severity as to place the air crusader in virtual peonage and bondage for the next five years."  

The Colonel's sentence, which came as a result of being found guilty in a court martial, includes...suspension from rank, command and duty, and forfeiture of pay for five years.  

The Star describes the sentence as "the most unusual in the annals of military court-martials."

JFK+50 NOTE

Col. Mitchell antagonized US Army administrators during the 1920s for violating an order that required approval before he could engage with the press. His full-pay forfeiture was changed to half-pay by President Coolidge & he resigned from the army on Feb 1, 1926.  He lived on a 120 acre estate in Middleboro, Virginia.

*William Lendrum Mitchell (1879-1936) was born in Nice, France & served in the US Army 1898-1936.  WLM played a key role in creation of the US Air Force.  He served in WWI commanding all air combat units.  He was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal after his death.

SOURCES

 "Billy Mitchell:  Lessons a Hundred Years Hence," by Jason Korman and Brig Gen John Teichert, USAF Retired, December 16, 2025, National Museum of the Air Force, www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/

"Mitchell Reduced & Pay Cut Off For 5 Years By Decision of Court," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., December 18, 1925, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

Billy Mitchell at Court Martial

USAF Photo

1925

"OLD FOGEY IDEAS ARE HOLDING BACK THE INEVITABLE"

PLANE CAN FLY NON-STOP FROM U.S. TO PARIS WITH TON OF EXPLOSIVES BUT ARMY WON'T O.K. TEST

Chicago, Illinois (JFK+50) On August 29, 1925, Associated Press reports that Colonel William Mitchell*, former head of the Army Air Service says "an American super airplane capable of a non-stop flight to Paris with a ton of explosives has been perfected, but Government permission to test it has been withheld."

Because of this, Col. Mitchell believes "old fogey** ideas are holding back the inevitable."

JFK+50 NOTE

Col. Mitchell advocated the Air Service be made into a separate organization from the Army & Navy.

*William "Billy" Mitchell (1879-1936) was born in Nice, France & played a major role in the creation of the US Air Force.  BM served in France during WWI.

**old fogey refers to a person who is excessively old-fashioned, conservative & unwilling to consider new ideas

SOURCE

"Plane Capable of Attacking Paris From U.S. Denied Test, Mitchell Says," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., August 29, 1925, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

Col. William "Billy" Mitchell

1920s

USAF Photo