William "Billy" Mitchell (December 29, 1879 – February 19, 1936)

Mitchell was one of the most famous and most controversial figures in the
history of American military aviation. He commanded American air combat
units in France during World War l and was appointed deputy director of 
the Air Service following the war. He believed that bombers should take
the place of battleships and there should be a separate command for the
Air Service.

Mitchell received many honors following his death, including a commission
by President Franklin Roosevelt as a Major General and was the only
person to have an American military aircraft, the B-25 bomber (below),
named after him.

 
The North American B-25 Mitchell medium bomber

The influence of air power on the ability of one nation to impress its will on
another in armed contest will be decisive.

–Brig Gen William "Billy" Mitchell