Military Myths and Legends: 5 Legendary Heroes of the U.S. Air Force

We all know the Marine Corps celebrates its birthday in a big way, but that doesn't mean the other branches aren't worth celebrating. The United States Air Force was created after President Harry S. Truman signed the National Security Act of 1947. On September 18, 1947, W. Stuart Symington became Secretary of the Air Force, making September 18 the service's official birthday. In honor of its 77th birthday, let's take a look at some of the airmen who shaped the history and development of the world's premiere aerospace force. 

1. Billy Mitchell
It's hard to imagine a time when the world's top military thinkers just didn't believe that airplanes would make any sort of difference on a battlefield. Also known as the "Father of the Air Force," Gen. William "Billy" Mitchell had the foresight to know exactly what air power could bring. Mitchell even set out to prove it by sinking battleships. 

His advocacy for a separate Air Force landed him a court martial in 1925 after accusing the U.S. military of "almost treasonable administration of the national defense" when they invested in battleships instead. He resigned from the Army Air Service after the trial, but history proved him right in World War II, even though Mitchell didn't live to be vindicated. 

2. Eddie Rickenbacker
Eddie Rickenbacker led the life so many young men always dream about. He was an award-winning race car driver, married to a famous singer, who taught himself to become a pilot. When the United States entered World War I, he joined the Air Service as soon as he could. Initially enlisting as a driver, he fought to become a combat pilot. 

Within a year, Rickenbacker not only shot down five enemy fighters and earned the title of Ace, he was in command of an entire squadron. By the time World War I ended in November 1918, he had 26 aerial victories, the Distinguished Service Cross with six oak leaf clusters, the Croix de Guerre with two palms, the French Legion d'Honneur and, later, a Medal of Honor.

3. Curtis LeMay
Gen. Curtis LeMay might be most  (in)famous for his determination to "bomb the Soviet Union back into the Stone Age," but upon closer inspection, the bombastic but often misunderstood leader is the embodiment of the Air Force warrior ethos. It was LeMay's leadership that saw the legendary 8th Air Force's dominance over Nazi Germany, where he led from the lead plane. The strategic bombing that crippled Japan was the work of LeMay and his staff. 

History is not often kind to Curtis LeMay, depicting him as a cold, bloodthirsty warmonger, but that image of him only stems from his willingness to do whatever it took to secure the U.S. and its forces. For the record, when the Soviets tried to cut Berlin off from the Free World, LeMay responded with the Berlin Airlift, not a nuclear strike. 

4. Robin Olds
It's not very often that heroes transcend eras, but when they do, the effect they have is felt for generations afterward. Robin Olds is one of those legendary heroes. He played football for West Point, but became a fighter pilot over World War II Europe, becoming a triple ace with 16 aerial victories. It's also fun to point out that his football performance, air combat record, and even marrying a famous movie actress are all overshadowed by the most magnificent mustache to ever touch the wild blue yonder. 

After World War II, Olds continued his service by commanding a tactical fighter squadron in the Vietnam War. There, despite his frustrations with American leadership and media, he still innovated ways to win, culminating in Operation Bolo, a near-perfect victory that wrecked much of the North Vietnamese Air Force. Today's airmen remember him every year with "Mustache March, "hoping to emulate the distinctive whiskers that boosted the morale of his men.

5. William H. Pitsenbarger
Readers might notice a lot of the Air Force's heroes are officers and pilots, and the reason for that is many of the airmen sent into combat against the enemy are officers and pilots. But the Air Force enlisted corps is just as brave and heroic when the opportunity arises, and no one in USAF history embodies the warrior spirit like that of Pararescue Jumper William H. Pitsenbarger. 

"Pits" entered the Air Force after high school and was sent to Vietnam as soon as he left pararescue training. In less than a year, he found himself rescuing Army casualties pinned down around South Vietnam's Cam My. He jumped below the canopy and sent some wounded back up to the helicopter, but he stayed with the wounded who couldn't be evacuated. For an hour and a half, he helped the Infantrymen fight the enemy while tending to the wounded. He even fought alongside them. Sadly, he was killed by a Viet Cong sniper. In 2000, he received a posthumous Medal of Honor for his gallantry in the face of the enemy.