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<em>Henry H. Arnold, Jr.,</em> was born in Coronado, California on 29 January 1917, to H.H. “Hap” Arnold (Class of 1907) and Eleanor Pool Arnold. He was the eldest son and second of five children.</p>
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“Hank” had the opportunity to witness the birth of military aviation. He lived with his family in the D.C. area, at March Field, California, and at other air bases. He was with his family at the time of the historic Billy Mitchell court martial, when “Hap,” against orders, testified in favor of the defendant and was exiled with his entire family from Washington to Ft. Riley.</p>
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Hank met many fledgling aviators, some of whom made their mark on air history. From those early years, Hank planned a career like that of his father. In 1937 he entered the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. He could not pass the vision test for flying, so he took his next choice, the artillery. Hank’s father, who in 1940 was a major general and Chief of the Air Corps, was quoted as saying that he was so relieved to see Hank graduate that he did not mind his not being able to enter the Air Corps.</p>
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After graduation, Hank married Beatrice Catherine Hickey of New York City. They moved to Ft. Monroe, Virgina for additional schooling and then to Hank’s first assignment with the Coast Artillery in Panama, where their only son, Henry Harley Arnold III, was born. Soon after arriving in Panama, Captain Arnold was sent to Europe, along with many classmates, in the world’s latest effort to “defeat the Hun.” Although Hank was eager for a troop command, his first assignment was as aide to General Dwight D. Eisenhower. He served with the General during 1942 in London and North Africa.</p>
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Eisenhower, in a letter to Hank’s father, gave his reasons for selecting Hank to serve on his staff. He wrote, “I have heard of him many times, and, since I wanted a young regular with me, I could think of no one else who would be so acceptable.” In the spirit of a true mentor, General Eisenhower outlined his plans for Hank: “I have no intention of letting him become a social or baggage-smashing aide. I am going to start his training as a staff officer immediately … more than this, I will keep looking for a favorable command or troop position, and, when I find one that he might desire and fit into well, I will not stand in his way.”</p>
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Ike was true to his word, and, during the first week of February 1943, Hank joined the 106th Anti-Aircraft Sep Battalion, which he described as “the best bofors unit in the army.” He fought with the battalion in assault landings from Iran to Sicily to Anzio and on through Southern France. During Hank’s time with the 106th, the unit was credited with downing 54 German planes in three campaigns.</p>
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Hank left the unit hoping to get command of a unit similar to the 106th. He was told he was “too young for command” and was given a short series of staff jobs. Soon, to his relief, he was given command of the Anti-Aircraft Battalion that was in direct support of the 45th Infantry Division.</p>
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During Hank’s command, the unit was credited with downing 62 enemy aircraft. Hank was awarded the Legion of Merit, (which he received twice again during his career) and the Bronze Star Medal. He later was awarded the European Theater of Operations Medal with ten battle stars.</p>
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The Arnolds’ only daughter, Frances Eleanor, was born 27 August 1947.</p>
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Assignments over the next 24 years included teaching at Michigan State College ROTC and the Infantry and Field Artillery Schools, command of the 38th Field Artillery Battalion and the 537th FA Battalion and culminated in senior level staff positions in the Military Advisory Group, Greece; of PROVMAAG-K, Korea; USARPAC, Hawaii; and the Sixth Army, Presido of San Francisco. Hank graduated from the Army War College and earned his advanced degree in Journalism from Stanford University.</p>
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On 27 October 1968, at Ft. Shafter Chapel, Honolulu, Hank married Dorothy Bell, a career employee with the U.S. Air Force. In June 1972, Hank retired as a colonel, and he and Dorothy returned to her home town, Sheridan, Wyoming. They bought a new home and plunged into entertaining, civic work, local and state politics, speaking engagements, and writing.</p>
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Hank is survived by his wife, Dorothy; his son, Lieutenant Colonel H.H. Arnold III; his daughter, Frances Arnold Lindquist; one brother, Colonel (Ret.) W. Bruce Arnold (Class of 1943); and four grandchildren.</p>
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Typical of the many influences that motivated Hank to a career marked by outstanding leadership are the words of Lieutenant General Hugh A. Drum in his address to the graduating class of 1940: “Teaching the soldier … and leading him into combat … these are your greatest responsibilities.”</p>
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To the end of his dynamic life, Hank Arnold, in the finest tradition of the Long Gray Line, kept the covenant, Duty, Honor, Country, with his God and his fellow countrymen.</p>
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Beloved soldier, rest in peace.</p>
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<em>Dorothy</em></p>