The Court-Martial of Billy Mitchell

Brigadier General William 'Billy' Mitchell is a visionary who fights for an independent air service. He defies orders by testing heavier aircraft and demonstrates that air power can decisively strike a battleship. His bold methods lead to demotion, but also plant the seed for future military reform.

Prosecutor appointed for the court-martial, Gullion embodies the military’s discipline and skepticism toward Mitchell’s unorthodox methods. He presses Mitchell with sharp examination, highlighting the legal stakes and the consequences of disobedience. His performance frames the clash between rank-and-file obedience and strategic innovation.

A World War I ace turned aviation advocate, Rickenbacker testifies to the real-world value of air power. His testimony lends credibility to Mitchell’s claims and embodies the fighter-pilot perspective the era sought to honor. He represents the connection between pilots’ experience and military policy.

Future Air Force leader who testifies in support of reform, Spaatz blends strategic insight with pragmatic hopes for modernization. His remarks foreshadow the organizational changes that would eventually grant air power its own service. He helps bridge the courtroom arguments with a vision of a revitalized air arm.

LaGuardia brings political weight to the proceedings, supporting enhanced air service from a civilian leadership angle. His involvement links public policy and military modernization, illustrating the civilian appetite for aviation reform. He helps validate Mitchell’s case beyond the military ranks.

Widow of a Shenandoah crew member, Margaret anchors the human cost of warfare’s advancement. Her presence adds emotional resonance to the court and reframes Mitchell’s fight as one with personal stakes. She embodies the sacrifice behind the push for air-power reform.

A senior military figure on the scene, MacArthur represents established authority and the cautious path to reform. His stance reflects the tension within the hierarchy as the service debates its future. He serves as a veteran witness to the broader debate over air power’s place in the armed forces.

The nation's leader who declines to appear in person but ultimately influences the trial through political timing. Coolidge’s decision to allow or deny certain witnesses shapes the course of the proceedings. He embodies the executive balance of power and reformist pressures.

Friend of Mitchell who dies in the Shenandoah disaster, Zack’s tragedy fuels Mitchell’s fiery demands for accountability. His loss personalizes the cost of neglect and mismanagement in the aviation program. He remains a symbolic catalyst throughout the courtroom drama.

A flight officer whose experiences reflect the dangers of early military aviation and the fragility of ill-funded operations. Elliott’s presence adds realism to the narrative of aviation’s growing pains. He helps illustrate the practical side of Mitchell’s advocacy.