The Struggle for Air Force Independence, 1943-1947
Abstract
A revision of the 1984 work, "Planning and Organizing the Postwar Air Force, 1943-1947," this book describes the struggle by Army airmen to become an independent United States Air Force. The narration covers the story from the post-World War II period to September 1947, when the U.S. Air Force was established. It focuses on the political, military, and technological context of the struggle for air independence. Highlighted are the roles played by General Henry H. (Hap) Arnold, General Carl A. (Tooey) Spaatz, General Dwight D. Eisenhower, General George C. Marshall, Stuart Symington, Harry S. Truman, Maj. General Lauris Norstad, and Lt. General Ira C. Eaker. The author has not tried to describe the many organizational changes within Army Air Force Headquarters or in the commands. The approach has been primarily to center on the crucial roles played by Air Force leaders and officials in the overall organizational planning of the postwar Air Force. A new epilogue describes important national security legislation and Air Force organizational changes in the half-century since the establishment of the Air Force. New material also has been interspersed in the various chapters throughout the book. The appendices include major sequential documents that were important to the establishment of the conceptual framework and organizational structure of the U.S. Air Force.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1997
- Accession Number
- ADA433269
Entities
People
- Herman S. Wolk