The life of the late General Henry H. Arnold (1886-1950), first Commander of the Army Air Forces, as related by his associates. Included are interviews with veteran Air Force officers throughout the country and with retired Royal Air Force officers in Great Britain who worked with General Arnold during World War II. Primary emphasis is on Arnold's role in the Air Forces, his relations with associates, problems encountered and his contributions to the development of military aviation, which includes a wealth of material valuable to Air Force historians. The material deals with Arnold as a student at West Point, as infantry officer in the Philippines, as student pilot under Orville Wright, as close associate of General William Mitchell, as Chief of the Army Air Corps, and as Commanding General of the Air Forces and member of the Combined Chiefs of Staff during World War II.