Doolittle Raiders

[Clancy Arnold]

I just found this site.

http://doolittleraider.com

The official website of The Doolittle Tokyo Raiders.

Clancy

[Paul Smith]

Interesting site.

In his book, Jimmy Doolittle speculated that he would be court marshaled and grounded for loosing his entire squadron.  However, he did, in fact get the Distinguished Flying Cross for his efforts.  Some would that the DFC is too little for his achievement.  Other bomber crews who flew more missions with more enemy contact, and didn't get a DFC, would say he did pretty good.

The article referees to a Congressional Gold Medal.  If you open the link and see who else got that award you might think twice about accepting one.

[Dennis Leonhardi]

My wife, son and I have had several opportunities to talk with Richard Cole, Doolittle's co-pilot, at the Wings of the North Air Expos here in Eden Prairie, Minnesota.  I believe the last time was just over a year ago - and I can only hope to be as spry in my 80s as Cole in his 90s!

He confessed that he was more afraid of Doolittle having to wait for him when it was time to launch than almost anything else, so he vowed to be in his seat and ready when Doolittle got to the plane.   

Really great guy, fantastic mission, and the admiration and respect he receives at these outings is well-earned.


Dennis

[SteveMoon]

I recently read the book Target Tokyo, which was published in 2014.
It goes into great detail about the preparation for the raid, the raid
itself and it's aftermath. Great book that I highly recommend.

Steve

[Joseph Patterson]

     Thanks Steve for the post. Gotta get it!
           Doug

[John Rist]

I have great pride in the past,  especially for men like Doolittle.  Don't have much hope for the future.  We have raised several generations of spoiled brats.

[Richard Logston]

My next door neighbor is the son of Clayton Campbell who was the navigator on #13 off the carrier Hornet. He had to bail out over China and spent one year flying B-25's for Clair Chenault. He passed away a few years ago, and my neighbor has a lot of his memorabilia. He has attended many of the reunions in honor of his Dad and those who served on this mission. You can see his picture and onfo on the Doolittle raiders site.

[dale gleason]

In elementary schools I attended in Texas and Louisiana, it was the norm for the teacher to read a book to the class after the lunch break, a chapter a day. One such book was "Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo", by Lt. Ted Lawson. It kept me spell bound. Still does.

dg

[Jim Carter]

I have great pride in the past,  especially for men like Doolittle.  Don't have much hope for the future.  We have raised several generations of spoiled brats.

I know there are some knuckleheads out there and I would agree with ya except when I think about all those young men and women who fought and sacrificed in Iraq and Afghanistan for what seems to be a far less worthy conflict than that of WWII and all I can say is Thank God for them "spoiled brats"!!

[Dennis Leonhardi]

I know there are some knuckleheads out there and I would agree with ya except when I think about all those young men and women who fought and sacrificed in Iraq and Afghanistan for what seems to be a far less worthy conflict than that of WWII and all I can say is Thank God for them "spoiled brats"!!

Amen, Jim!

I like being around young people - heck, I'm 75 and have a 12-year-old son!  And he must ask at least 4 times a day, "Can I get you anything, or is there anything you'd like me to do?".  You bet, I'd do literally anything for him, and vice-versa.

I've coached, taught and mentored literally hundreds of young people over the years, and enjoyed (almost) every moment.

It might help to remember a simple axiom when dealing with those "spoiled brats": Respect isn't a gift, it's earned.  Treat them with respect, and you might just be surprised.


Dennis

[Jim Carter]

   Dennis, say whaaaaaaa??? Now I'm shocked!!  I thought I could jus' be a "grouchy ol' man" and young people would jus' fall down at my feet!!  I had no idea they'd be on the ground .... laughin' their butts off!!    (jus' kiddin' y'all .... jus' kiddin')!!

I too have had the pleasure and honor to have worked with some wonderfully talented young people over the years and if I made any impressions on them at all for their futures, I can only hope those impressions will bring them some wonderfully pleasant memories and the encouragement to do the same for the generation that follows them.  

Jim

[afml]

Hi Clancy,
Several years ago, there was a Doolittle Reunion at the NMUSAF in Dayton, Ohio.
At that time there were 4 surviving members that were able to make the trip and stay the entire weekend.
North of Dayton at Grimes Field,1 17 B-25's were practicing formation flying and several offering rides to the paying public. That weekend, they flew into the NMUSAF and I got pics & vids as they made their final approach. When all were assembled, wing tip to wingtip on the tarmac, they opened the field to the public to the aircraft & crew.
Saw the movie "30 seconds Over Toykyo" and a Q&A afterwards with the surviving crew. Got all their autographs including the author of the book. After a memorial service outside, the 17 B-25's flew over in formation.
What a sight! What a sound!
My understanding is the museum is preparing to open their fourth hanger on the grounds in the very near future. WORTH THE TRIP! Get the (FREE) tickets EARLY to attend the Restoration Tour Friday afternoon as they make final restorations to the original Memphis Bell. Be sure to take in the Presidential Hanger & the R&D hanger located on the base.
Exiting the Museum entrance, turn right on the main road, under the train trestle, turn right at the next intersection and take the very next right. That's the O&W Wright Museum. You can see the actual field they flew from the parking lot. WAY TOO much just for one weekend fer sure. I do have pics & vids of the Reunion and of the UMUSAF if you can't make it there. A LOT of info on Jimmy Doolittle other than his epic mission. There is a group that visits there every year in early spring. I've made the trip to be with them several times, but lately the weather had other plans. Give Allen Goff a ring as he usually organizes the trip there.
Have a great week & "Tight Lines!"
Wes

[11290]

From the museum site:

"The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force is in the midst of a multi-phase, long-term expansion plan. The Air Force Museum Foundation is currently supporting a major capital construction program to expand the museum's current one million square feet of exhibit space with a fourth building that will house the Space, Presidential, Research & Development and Global Reach Galleries".

Space is now closed and Presidential will close on Oct. 1 in preparation for the move to the new building.