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| The History
The Arnold Air Society had its beginnings as an honorary society at the University of Cincinnati in October, 1947. Lt. Colonel James F. Pierce, Major Victor J. Sampson and Captain James L. Nolkamper, all Assistant Professors of Military Science and Tactics at that school , were instrumental in forming the local organization. The organization received the approval of General H. "Hap" Arnold, and thus was called the Arnold Society of Air Cadets. The first squadron was the H. H. Arnold Squadron. The name of Arnold Air Society was chosen in hopes that its members would benefit from the example of productive living set by General Arnold. The Air Force officially recognized the Society on 6 April 1948 and issued a regulation encouraging and authorizing Air Force support for the new organization. By 1949, twenty more squadrons were formed across the country, and Paul T. Johns was elected as the first National Commander. The National Newsletter was also published for the first time. The year 1950 saw the first National Conclave, in Cincinnati, Ohio, beginning on 4 march, and lasting three days. Twenty-one squadrons were represented. During that summer, Mr. Johns died in a swimming accident at Field Training. The second National Conclave was held on 25 November. There, the Arnold Air Letter and the National Arnold Air Society Newsletter were started, and the society voted to be affiliated with the Air Force association. When General Arnold died that year, General James Doolittle became the honorary National Commander. The Society had grown tremendously by 1954. There were over 700 cadets from 170 squadrons attending the fifth National Conclave, and an increase of 149 squadrons in three years. The Society hired Lt. Col. Louis Ciccoli (retired) as an
Executive Secretary in November in 1955. This was because of the increased
size of the Society. Colonel Ciccoli managed the Society's administrative
headquarters excellently for 17 years until his death on Thanksgiving Day,
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