Wings of Valor - Volume I is the first in a series of 6 books detailing the history of United States Army Aviation. Volume 1, "The Birth of Military Aviation" details the formative days of the combat use of aircraft from observation balloons to fighter and bomber aircraft during World War I. The history of World War I combat aviation is reflected in detailed stories of the 4 Army Air Service recipients of the Medal of Honor, and follows Eddie Rickenbacker, the sole surviving recipient, through the post-war years of aviation growth. Further detailed is the fight within the military to define the role of aviation in military tactics, including detailed history of Billy Mitchell's role, his World War I combat history, and subsequent courts martial. Also highlighted from the period between the two world wars is the story of Charles Lindbergh, from his New York to Paris flight that made him a celebrity, to the little known story of flying combat missions in the Pacific with Marine and Army aviators during World War II.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.