Henry Harley Arnold, better known as "Hap," is the father of the U.S. Air Force. He transformed the Army Air Corps from a bad joke into a devastating force.

From 1938 to 1946, as the first Commanding General of the USAAF, Arnold fought WWII in Congress, on the Army General Staff, in factories, and in universities. His vision of airpower established U.S. air supremacy during the war and also laid the foundations of today's Air Force.

Learn all about "Hap" Arnold and his truly amazing feats:

BOOKS

Air Force Fiftieth Anniversary Commemorative Edition. A biography of General Arnold's military life as an army aviator.

HAP ARNOLD AND THE EVOLUTION OF AMERICAN AIR POWER
By Dik Alan Daso

This sympathetic biography is the first to be drawn from all of Hap Arnold's personal papers as well as recently declassified military documents. 368 pages, 80 B&W photos. Soft cover.

DVDs & VHS VIDEOS

National archives - hap arnold, the big picture

This National Archives DVD covers the birth of the Air Force into the powerful military resource it is today, thanks almost entirely to General "Hap" Arnold, Commanding General of the Army Air Force, who for almost his entire 46 years in the military, completely dedicated himself to building America's supremacy in the skies, beginning in World War II.

This is the life of a modest, hard-working and good-natured young man who witnessed a Frenchman by the name of Bleriot flying a frail contraption across the English Channel and began to wonder about the military effects of many flying machines in the air at the same time. That young man, Henry "Hap" Arnold, was to become the Commander of the greatest Air Force in history--$2,500,000 men and 70,000 aircraft.

HAP ARNOLD, THE SKY WARRIOR

From the award-winning  "Biography" series on A&E.

See how "Hap" transformed the Army Air Corps by identifying and nurturing leaders like Spaatz and Doolittle, developing new weapons, and inventing tactics that remain essential to this day. Interviews with family and friends reveal the private man, while his many military triumphs are relived through newsreel and archival footage. 50 min.
 

HAP ARNOLD - LEGENDS OF AIRPOWER SERIES [VHS]

General Arnold was born in the age of horse and buggy and would lead America to the atomic age. He was taught to fly by Orville Wright and was schooled in air combat by Billy Mitchell. Hap Arnold took a nation unprepared for war to victory. He joins Mitchell as the "Father of the U.S. Air Force." 30 Minutes.

Biography - Hap Arnold [VHS]

He learned how to fly from Orville Wright and was the first person ever to deliver U.S. mail by air. His vision helped make the U.S. Air Force into one of the most effective fighting forces on earth. Henry Harley Arnold, better known as ""Hap,"" is the father of the U.S. Air Force. One of aviation's pioneers, he entered the military with his vision already clear he would lead America to dominance in the skies. He did, eventually becoming one of only nine men to receive permanent five-star rank. BIOGRAPHY traces the life and career of this legendary warrior through interviews with men who served alongside him, rare footage, photos and expert commentary. See how ""Hap"" transformed the Army Air Corps from a bad joke to a devastating force by identifying and nurturing leaders like Spaatz and Doolittle, developing new weapons and inventing tactics that remain essential to U.S. military strategy to this day. Interviews with family and friends reveal the private man, while his many military triumphs are relived through newsreel and archival footage. Itís a stirring portrait of one of the greatest leaders in military history.