A dramatic growth characterized the Arnold Air Society from its obscure beginning in the spring and summer of 1947. It tended to prove the ideals on which this organization was founded–namely, high moral, physical, and mental attitudes. These aims were molded in the formation of the society to help train future Air Force leaders.

At summer camp in 1947, a group of AFROTC cadets from Cincinnati, Ohio discussed the possibility of an honorary society and presented their idea to Captain Nolkamper. A committee of cadets was formed to write a constitution and to find a name. The name chosen in an unanimous decision was made to honor General H. H. Arnold, one of the greatest leaders in aviation history. The permission to use his name was granted in December of 1947, with the provision that the society begin on a local basis at the University of Cincinnati, with expansion of a spontaneous nature.

In April of 1948, the United States Air Force officially recognized the society. Shortly thereafter, the society became a project of the Air Defense Command, whose duty it was to see that the local group became nationalized. In September of 1948, the Air Defense Command sent copies of the society’s constitution to all universities and colleges throughout the nation, with the hope of forming similar organizations. Within the next year, twenty new squadrons were formed.

Many new ideas came about in the early 1950s, one of these being the National Conclave. The conclave is used as a central means of determining the policies of the society. At the first National Conclave, at the University of Cincinnati, Mrs. H. H. Arnold was named Honorary Sponsor. That same year, the society officially became the “Arnold Air Society.”

The Second National Conclave resulted in the society’s affiliation with the Air Force Association. The Second National Conclave also initiated the establishment of the National Publications Headquarters and the Arnold Memorial Scholarship.

At the Fourth and Fifth National Conclaves, a reconstruction of the organizational structure of the society was proposed. This resulted in the formation of the Board of Directors, consisting of the National Commander and all the Area Commanders. At succeeding conclaves, more awards and policies were initiated, such as the formation of Angel Flight, and the Arnold Air Society-Link Foundation Awards for graduate work.

Henry H. Arnold was born in Gladwyn, Pennsylvania, on 25 June 1886. Following graduation from the United States Military Academy, he was appointed a Second Lieutenant of Infantry on 14 June 1907. In 1911 he entered aviation corps and became one of the first flyers taught by the Wright Brothers.  He was assigned, as a pilot of the Wright Bi-Plane, to the Signal Corps in April of 1911, .

In June of 1912, General Arnold established a new altitude record of 6,540 feet while piloting a Brugress-Wright airplane. He participated in the Regular Army and National Guard Movements in the states of New York and Connecticut and established several aeronautical records. On 09 October 1912, Arnold won the first Mackay Trophy to be awarded for his flight demonstrations.

He progressed rapidly through the ranks, and by 11 February 1935 he had received the temporary rank of Brigadier General. This rank was made permanent on 02 December 1940. He was awarded permanent rank of Major General and became Chief of the Army Air Forces in 1941. In March 1942, “Hap” Arnold became Commanding General of the Army Air Force.

He retired from the service on 30 June 1946 with the ratings of Command Pilot and Combat Observer. His many accomplishments, of both personal and national significance, gained him the distinction of becoming the first five-star General of the United States Air Force on 07 May 1949 by an act of Congress.

He died on 15 January 1950 of a cardiac condition.

General Arnold received the Distinguished Flying Cross in November 1936, and the Distinguished Service Medal in October 1942. Arnold was awarded the Air Medal in March 1943, and in September 1945 he received the Oak Leaf Cluster to the Distinguished Service Medal. In October 1945, he was awarded a second Oak Leaf Cluster to the Distinguished Service Medal. His other awards included: The World War II Victory Medal; American Defense Medal; American Theater Ribbon; Asiatic-Pacific Theater Ribbon; European-African-Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon, 1942-1943; U.S. Military Badge No. 1; Morocco’s Grand Cross, Grand Officer of the Commander (Ouissam Alaouite); Yugoslavia’s Sun in the degree of Grand Aztec Eagle; Mexico’s Order of Military Merit; and England’s Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath.

The H. H. Arnold Award was established in honor of General Arnold by the Air Force Association in 1948. It is presented for the “most outstanding contributions toward the peace and the security of the United States in the field of aviation.”

General Arnold had only one theme: “It’s got to be done and done quickly, so let’s get it done.”

All text on this page is taken directly from the Arnold Air Society's national website. 

http://www.arnold-air.org/