Roadside highway turnout Mount 'Billy' Mitchell Paved turnout with historical marker. Lt. Billy Mitchell ' Father of the modern U.S. Air Force' . In 1902 Lt. Billy Mitchell, U.S. Army Signal Corps, was sent to the territory of Alaska to construct a telegraph line linking Valdez and Nome to the United States. Mitchell learned to fly in 1918 and commanded several units in World War 1, he became the leading proponent to create an independent U.S. Air Force. Mitchell's previous Alaska experience shaped his idea, he who holds Alaska will hold the world, as far as defending the North American continent. In 1946 Mitchell was awarded the posthumously a special non-combat Medal Of Honor by Congress for outstanding pioneer service and foresight in the field of American Military Aviation Glennallen, Alaska to Valdez, Alaska