William Moffett was already building naval aviation, supported by Roosevelt's institutional work and Sims's wargaming. Their efforts complicate the claim that Mitchell's demonstration forced an indifferent Navy to accept aircraft. Mitchell went further than demonstrating vulnerability: he declared bombs an easy and especially effective way to destroy even the most modern battleship. The targets had been stationary, undefended, and without damage control. Those conditions left his universal claim untested.
Notable Point · 2:06:52-2:09:52
Moffett's naval aviation work predates Mitchell's publicity victory
Moffett, Roosevelt, and Sims were already advancing naval aviation when Mitchell's bombing demonstration became a claim to credit for its development.