In 1911, he entered aviation and became a flyer. He was detailed to the Signal Corps in April 1911, piloting the Wright bi-plane. He was one of the first fliers taught by the Wright brothers.
In June 1912, he established a new altitude record when he piloted a Burgess-Wright airplane to a height of 6540 feet. He participated in the Regular Army and National Guard movements in the states of New York and Connecticut and established several aeronautical records. On 9 October 1912, Arnold won the first Mackay Trophy to be awarded for his flight demonstrations.
He progressed rapidly through the ranks and by 11 February 1945, had received the temporary rank of Brigadier General. This rank was made permanent on 2 December 1940. He was awarded permanent Major General and became Chief of the Army Air Forces in 1941. In March 1942, "Hap" Arnold became the Commanding General of the Army Air Force.
He retired from the service on 30 June 1946, with the ratings of Command Pilot and Combat Overseer. His many accomplishments, both of personal and national significance, gained him the distinction of becoming the first five-star General of the United States Air Force on 7 May 1949, by an act of Congress. He died on 15 January 1950 of a cardiac condition.
He received the Distinguished Flying Cross in November 1936 and the Distinguished Service Medal in October 1942. The Air Medal was awarded in March 1943, and, in September 1945, he was awarded the Oak Leaf Cluster to the Distinguished Service Medal. In October 1945, he was awarded a second OLC to the Distinguished Service Medal. The World War II Victory Medal, American Defense Medal, American Theater Ribbon, US Military Badge No. 1, World War I Victory Ribbon with two stars, Brazil's Order of the Southern Cross 1943, Morocco's Grand Cross, Yugoslavia's Sun in the degree of Grand Cross, France's Order National de la Legion d'Honneur, Mexico's Aztec Eagle, Mexico's Order of Military Merit, and England's Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath were received by Arnold.
James Thomas Connally moved to Waco, Texas, with his family when he was 3 years old and grew up in that city. Connally graduated from Texas High School, Waco, in 1927, and received a BS degree from Texas A&M University in 1932. He entered the cadet corps in July, Class of 1932. Connally graduated 29 June 1933, as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Air Corps Reserve and reported to the 3rd Attack Group at Fort Crockett in Galveston, Texas. He won his pilot wings at Randolph Field, Texas, and remained on active duty until his death. He carried Army air mail in 1934 when commercial contracts were temporarily suspended.
On 1 October 1938, he became a 2nd Lietenant, Air Corps Regular Army, and was assigned to March Field, California. In April 1941, he was attached to the Bomber Command of the Royal Air Force in England for four months. During this time, Connally instructed RAF pilots and ground crews in flying and maintenance of the first B-17 Flying Fortresses delivered to the RAF. In recognition and appreciation of sercvice, he was awarded the British Air Force Cross.
In October 1941, he became a 1st Lieutenant, Air Corps Regular Army, and flew to the Philippines with the Air Echelon of the 19th Bomb Group. On 19 January 1942, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for leading a flight of B-17's on a bombing mission over Jolo, Philippine Islands. Connally's determination led the flight successfully through severe weather and heavy anti-aircraft fire. On 12 February 1943, at a ceremony at Pyote, Texas, he was decorated with the 9th Bomb Group's citation. From November 1942 to March 1944, he was assigned to the School of Applied Tactics, Orlando, Florida, and was commander of the 9th Bomb Group. In April 1944, he was assigned as the commander of the 504th at Geneva, Nebraska, for B-29 training. On 16 December 1944, he took off from San Francisco with the 504th Bomb Group for the Marianas.
His awards include the Purple Heart (posthumously), Legion of Merit (posthumously), Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal, and the 19th Bomb Group Citation.