Our Collection

At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

Mitchell, William E. (1879-1936) to Mrs. Olive Crook Henderson

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02431.01 Author/Creator: Mitchell, William E. (1879-1936) Place Written: Washington, D.C. Type: Typed letter signed Date: 27 February 1925 Pagination: 1 p. ; 27 x 21 cm. Order a Copy

Discusses working for the common good during peacetime so they may be prepared in time of war. Concludes saying the national defense system is in dire need of revision. Written on War Department, Air Service, Office of the Assistant Chief letterhead.

After WWI, Mitchell argued against the huge reductions being made in military aviation. His contention was that the less costly bomber and torpedo plane had rendered expensive surface warships obsolete. The uproar he stirred reached national proportions. Mitchell insisted his bombers could sink any warship afloat and proved it in July 1921. General Mitchell International Airport, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is named after William "Billy" Mitchell.

Mitchell, William E., 1879-1936

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