S8 Ep05 General Hap Arnold: Aviation Pioneer and Visionary

Born in Gladwyne, Pennsylvania on June 25, 1886, Henry Harley Arnold, later nicknamed “Hap”, graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1907.

Initially commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the infantry, a role he disliked, Arnold later jumped at the opportunity to train at the Wright Brothers Aviation School in Dayton, Ohio. It was there, in 1911, he became one of the first three qualified pilots in the US Military.

During the decades that followed, Arnold advanced in rank and responsibilities, becoming the Commanding General of Army Air Forces in 1942. During WW2, Arnold was responsible for overseeing a massive expansion of US Air Forces and for directing air combat activity against Germany and Japan.

Arnold’s contributions during that time would eventually earn him the five star general rank in both the US Army and the newly created US Air Force, which came into being in 1947. To date, Arnold is the only person to hold a 5-star rank in two US military branches.

In this episode of Your History Your Story, we will be speaking with General Hap Arnold’s grandson, Robert Arnold. Robert will share stories about his grandfather’s life, including his love of practical jokes and his friendship with fellow aviation pioneers, Billy Mitchell and Jimmy Doolittle. Robert will also discuss his grandfather’s passion for expanding his country’s air power capabilities and how he played a significant role in the development of the US Air Force.

Music: "With Loved Ones" Jay Man

Photo(s): Courtesy of Robert Arnold

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