George Catlett Marshall, Father of the United States Air Force: His Contributions to Air Power

摘要

This paper explores George Catlett Marshall's contributions to the development of air power in the United States. Although MarshaJl began learning about airpower in 1907 and continued through the First World War and interwar years, it is because of his vast contributions to air development from 1938 to 1945 that he can be considered one of the founding fathers of the USAF. Marshall's most concentrated airpower education came in 1938 when Major General Frank Andrews, commanding general of the GHQ Air Force, accompanied him on an 8, 000-mile trip in nine days. The Air Corps greatly benefited also from the personal relationship between Marshall and General 'Hap' Arnold. Marshall learned much from air officers, but he taught the Army Air Force (AAF) even more as he successfully built the best air force in the world from only 62 tactical squadrons in 1939. He assisted the AAF by correcting personnel and aircraft procurement problems, along with implementing doctrinal changes on the way the Army fights. Marshall left a legacy of valuable lessons of jointness, mentorship, lifelong professional learning, vision, and the importance of relationships.