Arnold, General Henry ‘Hap’ (1886–1950)

US general and aviator; he was largely responsible for preparing the US aviation industry for the war and the training programme which allowed the air corps to expand. A firm believer in the ability of bombing to win wars, he favoured attacking specific targets rather than bombing whole areas.

In 1936 he became assistant chief of the US Army Air Corps and in 1938 chief of the air staff. He then served on the US joint chiefs of staff committee and the Allied combined chiefs of staff committee. He was promoted to general of the army 1944, and when the US Army Air Corps was disbanded upon the formation of the US Air Force 1947, he became the first five star commanding general of the Air Force.