Showing posts with label Doolittles Raid. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Doolittles Raid. Show all posts
Thursday, April 18, 2019
Doolittle Raiders 77th Anniversary Today
This raid had a huge positive impact on the morale of the American people as World War II was going badly the first six months after the attack on Pearl Harbor. It showed the nation had the means to strike back and would use it. For the Japanese, it was just the opposite, they were sure that the United States could not reach them. They found out the hard way that wasn't true.
In honor of the 77th anniversary, I am writing about the Raid in all of my blogs. I also have my U.S. flags flying outside.
Today they are having a funeral service for Richard E. Cole, the last surviving Doolittle Raider who died this past April 9. This is in Texas and he will later be buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Doolittle Raiders 2012 Reunion Set for Ohio
From the July 28th NBC News 4.
The reunion will be at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base's National Museum of the United States Air Force. As many as five survivors of the original 88 are expected tp attend the event to be held April 17-20th.
The raid itself took place April 18, 1942.
Something I Would Really Like to Attend. --DaCoot
The reunion will be at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base's National Museum of the United States Air Force. As many as five survivors of the original 88 are expected tp attend the event to be held April 17-20th.
The raid itself took place April 18, 1942.
Something I Would Really Like to Attend. --DaCoot
Monday, April 18, 2011
Last Five Surviving World War II Doolittle Raiders Reunite
From the April 17th KETH 7 TV, Omaha, Nebraska.
There is a really good video of the reunion.
Ashland, Nebraska-- All five surviving members of Doolittle's Raid met over the weekend to mark today's 69th anniversary of what their leader, Lt. Colonel James Doolittle described as a "dangerous, secret mission."
Dick Cole, 26 at the time but 95 today, said, "I remember we were just a bunch of young people that answered the call. The raiders don't like to be singled out. We were just part of the big effort. Allies to take on the enemy."
He vividly recalls the Japanese friendship medals that they attached to five of the bombs they dropped over Japan April 18, 1942.
They launched 16 B-25 Mitchell bombers from the USS Hornet. Before that, it was believed that it was impossible to have a bomber take off from an aircraft carrier.
The bombs did little actual damage, but were a big jump to US spirits and a blow to Japanese morale, coming just five months after Pearl Harbor.
True Heroes, As Were All. --DaCoot
There is a really good video of the reunion.
Ashland, Nebraska-- All five surviving members of Doolittle's Raid met over the weekend to mark today's 69th anniversary of what their leader, Lt. Colonel James Doolittle described as a "dangerous, secret mission."
Dick Cole, 26 at the time but 95 today, said, "I remember we were just a bunch of young people that answered the call. The raiders don't like to be singled out. We were just part of the big effort. Allies to take on the enemy."
He vividly recalls the Japanese friendship medals that they attached to five of the bombs they dropped over Japan April 18, 1942.
They launched 16 B-25 Mitchell bombers from the USS Hornet. Before that, it was believed that it was impossible to have a bomber take off from an aircraft carrier.
The bombs did little actual damage, but were a big jump to US spirits and a blow to Japanese morale, coming just five months after Pearl Harbor.
True Heroes, As Were All. --DaCoot
Friday, April 1, 2011
Some More on Doolittle's Raid
Doolittle's group left Eglin Air Base on March 25, 1942, and flew to McClellan Field in Sacramento. The Hornet loaded the B-25s on April 1st.
There were originally 24 planes in Doolittle's group, but two suffered damage before leaving and of the remaining 22, only 16 were chosen for the daring attack.
Willow Field may have been the Chico Army Airfield.
Chico has another Doolittle connection. Ted Lawson was the pilot of one of the B-25s and lived in Chico for several years before his death in 1992. He wrote the book "Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo."
More Stuff I Didn't Know. --DaCoot
There were originally 24 planes in Doolittle's group, but two suffered damage before leaving and of the remaining 22, only 16 were chosen for the daring attack.
Willow Field may have been the Chico Army Airfield.
Chico has another Doolittle connection. Ted Lawson was the pilot of one of the B-25s and lived in Chico for several years before his death in 1992. He wrote the book "Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo."
More Stuff I Didn't Know. --DaCoot
Doolittle Raiders in Chico 69 Years Ago This Week
From the March 30th Chico (Ca) Enterprise-Record.
The first US offensive punch in World War II came five months after the attack on Pearl Harbor. On April 18, 1942, sixteen B-25 medium bombers took off from the deck of the aircraft carrier USS Hornet and flew to Japan and dropped their bombs doing minimum damage but having a significant impact on both the morale of America and Japan.
After extensive training at Eglin Air base in Florida, the planes were flown to Sacramento, California, before going to San Francisco to be loaded onto the Hornet.
Bob Fish, a trustee of the Hornet Museum in Almeda, Ca., found records that show the planes flew from Sacramento to Willow Airfield by Chico for final mechanical checks and short field practice flights in the days before putting to sea. After all, they couldn't do this on board the ship.
Not much mention is made of this in history books.
Something I Didn't Know. --Cooter
The first US offensive punch in World War II came five months after the attack on Pearl Harbor. On April 18, 1942, sixteen B-25 medium bombers took off from the deck of the aircraft carrier USS Hornet and flew to Japan and dropped their bombs doing minimum damage but having a significant impact on both the morale of America and Japan.
After extensive training at Eglin Air base in Florida, the planes were flown to Sacramento, California, before going to San Francisco to be loaded onto the Hornet.
Bob Fish, a trustee of the Hornet Museum in Almeda, Ca., found records that show the planes flew from Sacramento to Willow Airfield by Chico for final mechanical checks and short field practice flights in the days before putting to sea. After all, they couldn't do this on board the ship.
Not much mention is made of this in history books.
Something I Didn't Know. --Cooter
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Bits O' History: Doolittle's Raiders-- HMAS Sydney
Some current history.
1. DOOLITTLE'S RAIDERS-- Three of the five remaining members of Doolittle's Raid will be on hand for the March 26-27 Punta Gorda (Florida) Air Show. They are Richard Cole (Doolittle's copilot), Thomas C. griffin and David J. Thatcher.
2. HMAS SYDNEY-- The shipwrecks of the HMAS Sydney and German raider Kormoran were added to Australia's National Heritage List. Both ships were sunk in a violent sea battle on November 19, 1941. All 645 Australians aboard the Sydney died as did 60 Germans.
The wrecks of these two ships were discovered in 2008 off the coast of Western Australia.
It Won't Be Long Before There are No Doolittle's Raiders Left. --Cooter
1. DOOLITTLE'S RAIDERS-- Three of the five remaining members of Doolittle's Raid will be on hand for the March 26-27 Punta Gorda (Florida) Air Show. They are Richard Cole (Doolittle's copilot), Thomas C. griffin and David J. Thatcher.
2. HMAS SYDNEY-- The shipwrecks of the HMAS Sydney and German raider Kormoran were added to Australia's National Heritage List. Both ships were sunk in a violent sea battle on November 19, 1941. All 645 Australians aboard the Sydney died as did 60 Germans.
The wrecks of these two ships were discovered in 2008 off the coast of Western Australia.
It Won't Be Long Before There are No Doolittle's Raiders Left. --Cooter
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
69th Doolittle Reunion
From the March 2nd Omaha (Ne) World Herald.
Five surviving members of the 60 man group called Doolittle's Raiders are scheduled to be in Lincoln, Nebraska April 14-17th for the 69th anniversary of the April 18, 1942 attack that shocked Japan and helped US morale.
A flyover by two restored B-25 bombers is planned and events will take place in Lincoln and at the Strategic Air and Space Museum in Ashland, Neberaska.
Co-pilots Dick Cole and Robert Hite, navigator Tom Griffin, and engineers Ed Saylor and Dave Thatcher have signed up to attend.
I'd sure like to be there, but gas prices are likely going to keep me from doing so.
Darn GRB Big Oil. --Cooter
Five surviving members of the 60 man group called Doolittle's Raiders are scheduled to be in Lincoln, Nebraska April 14-17th for the 69th anniversary of the April 18, 1942 attack that shocked Japan and helped US morale.
A flyover by two restored B-25 bombers is planned and events will take place in Lincoln and at the Strategic Air and Space Museum in Ashland, Neberaska.
Co-pilots Dick Cole and Robert Hite, navigator Tom Griffin, and engineers Ed Saylor and Dave Thatcher have signed up to attend.
I'd sure like to be there, but gas prices are likely going to keep me from doing so.
Darn GRB Big Oil. --Cooter
Friday, January 14, 2011
Doolittle Raiders Highway in Florida
From the Januray 5, 2011, Northwest Florida Daily News.
On January 5th, State Route 285 north of Niceville was named the Doolittle Raiders Highway. The city of Mary Esther had already dedicated Doolittle Boulevard years ago.
It took two years to get this stretch of road named this and was largely through the efforts of Jorge Palem. His first choice was Hollywood Boulevard in Fort Walton Beach, but that didn't happen.
Doolittle's Raiders trained at Aglin Field before the attch on Japan in 1942.
A Well-Deserved Honor. Thanks Mr. Palem. --DaCoot
On January 5th, State Route 285 north of Niceville was named the Doolittle Raiders Highway. The city of Mary Esther had already dedicated Doolittle Boulevard years ago.
It took two years to get this stretch of road named this and was largely through the efforts of Jorge Palem. His first choice was Hollywood Boulevard in Fort Walton Beach, but that didn't happen.
Doolittle's Raiders trained at Aglin Field before the attch on Japan in 1942.
A Well-Deserved Honor. Thanks Mr. Palem. --DaCoot
Dead Page: Last Doolittle's Raiders Pilot Dies
BILL BOWER, 93
Died Jan. 10, 2011
There are still a few other men who were on the mission alive, but Mr. Bower was the last of the 16 pilots.
He volunteered for the mission and was chosen. On April 18, 1942, sixteen B25B Mitchell medium bombers took off from the deck of the USS Hornet and bombed Japan, something the Japanese didn't think was possible. Not much damage was done, but it worked wonders for American morale and caused great consternation in Japan.
They knew it would be impossible to return and land on the deck of the Hornet, so the planes continued on to China. All but one (which landed in the Soviet Union) landed in China or ditched in the sea.
Of the 80 members of Doolittle's Raiders, 11 were either captured or killed and the rest escaped and served later in the war.
On his return. Mr. Bower married Lorraine Amman in 1942. he continued to serve, eventually commanding the 428th Bombardier Squadron in Africa.
The Greatest Generation.
Died Jan. 10, 2011
There are still a few other men who were on the mission alive, but Mr. Bower was the last of the 16 pilots.
He volunteered for the mission and was chosen. On April 18, 1942, sixteen B25B Mitchell medium bombers took off from the deck of the USS Hornet and bombed Japan, something the Japanese didn't think was possible. Not much damage was done, but it worked wonders for American morale and caused great consternation in Japan.
They knew it would be impossible to return and land on the deck of the Hornet, so the planes continued on to China. All but one (which landed in the Soviet Union) landed in China or ditched in the sea.
Of the 80 members of Doolittle's Raiders, 11 were either captured or killed and the rest escaped and served later in the war.
On his return. Mr. Bower married Lorraine Amman in 1942. he continued to serve, eventually commanding the 428th Bombardier Squadron in Africa.
The Greatest Generation.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Doolittle's Raiders
From the June 5, 2009 South Carolina The State.
Doolittle's Raiders returned to Columbia, South Carolina, for their 67th reunion. They also celebrated their 50th and 60th reunions in Columbia.
Columbia is important in Raider history because this is where they met Doolittle and began their training in 1942. As od 2009, there were eleven survivors of the raid, all in their late 80s and 90s. As many as seven plan to attend the ceremonies.
Richard Cole, 92, Doolittle's co-pilot on Plane No. 1 was one of sixteen five-man crews whom met Doolittle at Columbia Air Base, now Columbia Metropolitan Airport.
Three of the raiders were killed, eight were captured in Japanese-occupied China, three captives were executed and one died in prison. Sixty of the eighty continued to fight in the war.
The 60th Reunion was the first time the media was allowed to witness the Goblet ceremony where surviving Raiders toast those who lost their lives in the operation and those who had died since it. Special silver goblets are used.
There were three South Carolinians among the Raiders:
Darlington Farrow, pilot of No. 16, captured and executed.
Nolan Herndon- navigator of No. 8 who died in October 2008.
Horace "Sally" Crouch, navigator of No. 10 who died December 2005.
The Greatest Generation.
Doolittle's Raiders returned to Columbia, South Carolina, for their 67th reunion. They also celebrated their 50th and 60th reunions in Columbia.
Columbia is important in Raider history because this is where they met Doolittle and began their training in 1942. As od 2009, there were eleven survivors of the raid, all in their late 80s and 90s. As many as seven plan to attend the ceremonies.
Richard Cole, 92, Doolittle's co-pilot on Plane No. 1 was one of sixteen five-man crews whom met Doolittle at Columbia Air Base, now Columbia Metropolitan Airport.
Three of the raiders were killed, eight were captured in Japanese-occupied China, three captives were executed and one died in prison. Sixty of the eighty continued to fight in the war.
The 60th Reunion was the first time the media was allowed to witness the Goblet ceremony where surviving Raiders toast those who lost their lives in the operation and those who had died since it. Special silver goblets are used.
There were three South Carolinians among the Raiders:
Darlington Farrow, pilot of No. 16, captured and executed.
Nolan Herndon- navigator of No. 8 who died in October 2008.
Horace "Sally" Crouch, navigator of No. 10 who died December 2005.
The Greatest Generation.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Doolittle Raiders Reunion 2008
From the June 2, 2008, Pensacola (Fl) News Journal.
Retired Major Tom Griffin wanted to get back at the Japanese after the attack on Pearl Harbor. He and 79 other men got that chance on April 18, 1942, with Doolittle's famous raid on Japan. This was a major blow for American morale and shocked Japan.
Griffin and six other raiders returned to Eglin Air Force Base where they trained for the mission.
Retired Master Sgt. Wes Fields was also an original Doolittle raider.
Five of the seven returnees took a tour of the National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola. While there, they posed for a picture by a B-25 similar to the ones they flew off the deck of the USS Hornet that day.
While at Eglin AFB, they had practiced short take-offs to prepare for the mission.
Retired raider Col. Bill Bower, 90, of Boulder, Colorado, said, "We competed, and they pulled those who had the best performance."
Sixteen bombers with five-man crews, took off from the Hornet that day in B-25s loaded with 500 pound bombs.
Three B-25 bombers flew over the reunion at one point.
Old News, But We're Surely Losing the Greatest Generation, and Especially the Limited Number of Doolittle's Raiders. --Cooter
Retired Major Tom Griffin wanted to get back at the Japanese after the attack on Pearl Harbor. He and 79 other men got that chance on April 18, 1942, with Doolittle's famous raid on Japan. This was a major blow for American morale and shocked Japan.
Griffin and six other raiders returned to Eglin Air Force Base where they trained for the mission.
Retired Master Sgt. Wes Fields was also an original Doolittle raider.
Five of the seven returnees took a tour of the National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola. While there, they posed for a picture by a B-25 similar to the ones they flew off the deck of the USS Hornet that day.
While at Eglin AFB, they had practiced short take-offs to prepare for the mission.
Retired raider Col. Bill Bower, 90, of Boulder, Colorado, said, "We competed, and they pulled those who had the best performance."
Sixteen bombers with five-man crews, took off from the Hornet that day in B-25s loaded with 500 pound bombs.
Three B-25 bombers flew over the reunion at one point.
Old News, But We're Surely Losing the Greatest Generation, and Especially the Limited Number of Doolittle's Raiders. --Cooter
Monday, April 19, 2010
OK, Not the Last Doolittle Reunion
A few days ago I posted that the 68th annual Reunion was to be the group's last one, but I now read that the 2011 one is planned for Omaha, Nebraska.
The April 17th Dayton (Oh) Daily News reported that four of the remaining eight members of the famous Doolittle's 1942 Raid attended the 68th Reunion:
Richard E. Cole, 94 of Comfort, Texas
Thomas C. Griffin, 92 of Cincinnati
Robert L. Hite, 90 of Nashville
David Thatcher, 88 of Missoula, Montana
The other four were not well enough to attend.
They spend two hours autographing books, photos and even the wings of World War II model airplanes. Hundreds of people waited in line to meet them.
Major Thomas Griffin said that one of the bombs his plane dropped missed the intended factory target, but hit the next door Tokyo Gas and Electric Company which he considered a fair trade-off.
Seventeen B-25 Mitchell bombers landed at the Air Force Museum airfield Saturday and remained until Sunday. That had to have been something to see.
Hopefully, I will get Out to Omaha Next April. --Cooter
The April 17th Dayton (Oh) Daily News reported that four of the remaining eight members of the famous Doolittle's 1942 Raid attended the 68th Reunion:
Richard E. Cole, 94 of Comfort, Texas
Thomas C. Griffin, 92 of Cincinnati
Robert L. Hite, 90 of Nashville
David Thatcher, 88 of Missoula, Montana
The other four were not well enough to attend.
They spend two hours autographing books, photos and even the wings of World War II model airplanes. Hundreds of people waited in line to meet them.
Major Thomas Griffin said that one of the bombs his plane dropped missed the intended factory target, but hit the next door Tokyo Gas and Electric Company which he considered a fair trade-off.
Seventeen B-25 Mitchell bombers landed at the Air Force Museum airfield Saturday and remained until Sunday. That had to have been something to see.
Hopefully, I will get Out to Omaha Next April. --Cooter
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Final Doolittle's Raiders Reunion This Weekend
Another era comes to an end this weekend when four of the eight remaining members of the April 18, 1942 Doolittle's Raid on Tokyo gather for one last time at the 68th Reunion at the Air Force Museum in Dayton, Ohio.
Lt. col. Dick Cole, then 26, said, "I was scared to death." as he was co-pilot of the lead B-25 bomber taking off from the USS Hornet that day.
Also returning are Major Thomas Griffin, Lt. Col. Robert Hite and Master sergeant David Thatcher.
At least 17 B-25 Mitchell bombers will do a fly-in to the Air Force Museum's runway today, one of the largest gatherings of that or any World War planes since World War II ended.
The B-25s began flying into Urbana, Ohio's Grimes Field on Thursday and attracted aviation enthusiasts from all over the country. Today, they will leave from Grimes Field and fly to the Air Force Museum.
RITUAL
On April 16th, yesterday, a solemn ritual took place at an undisclosed location. The four survivors raised their goblets to drink a toast to the ones who have died and then they overturn those deceased goblets.
each goblet is engraved with each individual's name twice, once upside down so the name can be easily read.
When there are only two members remaining, a final toast to departed comrades will be made and the ritual will end. At one time the goblets were kept at the Air Force Academy in Colorado between reunions, but in 2005, the survivors decided they would be on permanent display at the Air Force Museum in Dayton.
I Had Considered Going, But It Slipped Up on Me. That Would Have Been Something to See. --Cooter
Lt. col. Dick Cole, then 26, said, "I was scared to death." as he was co-pilot of the lead B-25 bomber taking off from the USS Hornet that day.
Also returning are Major Thomas Griffin, Lt. Col. Robert Hite and Master sergeant David Thatcher.
At least 17 B-25 Mitchell bombers will do a fly-in to the Air Force Museum's runway today, one of the largest gatherings of that or any World War planes since World War II ended.
The B-25s began flying into Urbana, Ohio's Grimes Field on Thursday and attracted aviation enthusiasts from all over the country. Today, they will leave from Grimes Field and fly to the Air Force Museum.
RITUAL
On April 16th, yesterday, a solemn ritual took place at an undisclosed location. The four survivors raised their goblets to drink a toast to the ones who have died and then they overturn those deceased goblets.
each goblet is engraved with each individual's name twice, once upside down so the name can be easily read.
When there are only two members remaining, a final toast to departed comrades will be made and the ritual will end. At one time the goblets were kept at the Air Force Academy in Colorado between reunions, but in 2005, the survivors decided they would be on permanent display at the Air Force Museum in Dayton.
I Had Considered Going, But It Slipped Up on Me. That Would Have Been Something to See. --Cooter
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Is Doolittle Raider James H. Macia, Jr, Dead?
The December 22nd Sierra Vista Herald (Arizona) reported the death of Doolittle Raider James H. Macia, Jr., 93, one of the last nine surviving members of the famous attack on Japan that did so much for American morale a few months after Pearl Harbor.
They got the news from his nephew Burton Devere of Tombstone who said his uncle died December 21st in Philadelphia. I am not subscribed to their service so didn't find out anything else.
However, I did not find mention of his death anywhere else, so think perhaps he did not die. Sure hope so.
I went to the Doolittle's Raiders site at www.doolittleraiders.com and found out a few things about Macia. He was born April 10, 1916 in Tombstone, Arizona and graduated from Tombstone High School before attending the University of Arizona before leaving to join the military in 1940. He became a second lieutenant in the air corps in June 1941.
After the Doolittle Raid, he was on 80 missions in Europe. He was out of the military in 1946 but back in during 1950 and was the last of the Raiders to retire from active duty in the 70s.
Sure Hope he Didn't Die As I Am Considering Going to the Next Raiders Reunion in Ohio Next Year. --Cooter
They got the news from his nephew Burton Devere of Tombstone who said his uncle died December 21st in Philadelphia. I am not subscribed to their service so didn't find out anything else.
However, I did not find mention of his death anywhere else, so think perhaps he did not die. Sure hope so.
I went to the Doolittle's Raiders site at www.doolittleraiders.com and found out a few things about Macia. He was born April 10, 1916 in Tombstone, Arizona and graduated from Tombstone High School before attending the University of Arizona before leaving to join the military in 1940. He became a second lieutenant in the air corps in June 1941.
After the Doolittle Raid, he was on 80 missions in Europe. He was out of the military in 1946 but back in during 1950 and was the last of the Raiders to retire from active duty in the 70s.
Sure Hope he Didn't Die As I Am Considering Going to the Next Raiders Reunion in Ohio Next Year. --Cooter
Friday, December 4, 2009
Bits O' History: HMAS Sydney-- DooLittle's Raiders-- Pearl Harbor
Bits O' History-- New News About Old Stuff.
1. HMAS SYDNEY-- The Nov. 17th TheAge.com.au reports that all the video and photographs taken after the ship was found have been presented to the Australian War Memorial. That includes 1400 photographs and 50 hours of video.
2. DOOLITTLE'S RAIDERS-- April 16th-18th, 2010, will mark the 68th Reunion of Doolittle's Raiders at the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base outside of Dayton, Ohio. Nine members are still alive and three who are still able to travel are planning to be there.
I am thinking about going there myself.
3. PEARL HARBOR-- John Daniel Lancaster who lives in Johnston County (I neglected to get the state) turned 90 last month and was honored for his service at the local VFW. He was on the Arizona at Pearl Harbor on that fateful day in 1941. This makes him truly a survivor.
His oldest daughter, Carol Lancaster, said, "He started running to his gun which was at the front of his ship and was blown into the water, which literally saved his life because he was not entombed in the ship.
Just Some Bits. --DaCoot
1. HMAS SYDNEY-- The Nov. 17th TheAge.com.au reports that all the video and photographs taken after the ship was found have been presented to the Australian War Memorial. That includes 1400 photographs and 50 hours of video.
2. DOOLITTLE'S RAIDERS-- April 16th-18th, 2010, will mark the 68th Reunion of Doolittle's Raiders at the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base outside of Dayton, Ohio. Nine members are still alive and three who are still able to travel are planning to be there.
I am thinking about going there myself.
3. PEARL HARBOR-- John Daniel Lancaster who lives in Johnston County (I neglected to get the state) turned 90 last month and was honored for his service at the local VFW. He was on the Arizona at Pearl Harbor on that fateful day in 1941. This makes him truly a survivor.
His oldest daughter, Carol Lancaster, said, "He started running to his gun which was at the front of his ship and was blown into the water, which literally saved his life because he was not entombed in the ship.
Just Some Bits. --DaCoot
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Doolittle Reunion: Toast to the Recent Dead-- Air Force Cadets--
More reports from last weekend's 67th Reunion in Columbia, South Carolina. From the Columbia State newspaper.
1. TOAST TO THE RECENT DEAD-- Raiders Davy Jones and Master Sgt. Ed Horton, Jr, who died last year, were toasted by the four Raiders who were able to come. These were drunk from silver goblets donated by the City of Tucson in 1959. I've read that either four or five of the nine surviving Raiders attended.
2. AIR FORCE CADETS-- The goblets are always guarded by at least two Air Force Academy cadets. This year, it was even more special because the granddaughter of the late Raider Carl Wildner, navigator of Plane No. 2, Megahan Wildner, was one of those cadets.
3. WILL CONTINUE-- The children and grandchildren say they will continue with the reunions once the Raiders are all deceased. They will continue to meet on or about April 18th each year. April 18, 1942, was the day of the raid.
What an Accomplishment. This Was Huge for the American Morale, Coming So Soon After Pearl Harbor. Not to Mention the Blow to the Japanese Morale. --Cooter
1. TOAST TO THE RECENT DEAD-- Raiders Davy Jones and Master Sgt. Ed Horton, Jr, who died last year, were toasted by the four Raiders who were able to come. These were drunk from silver goblets donated by the City of Tucson in 1959. I've read that either four or five of the nine surviving Raiders attended.
2. AIR FORCE CADETS-- The goblets are always guarded by at least two Air Force Academy cadets. This year, it was even more special because the granddaughter of the late Raider Carl Wildner, navigator of Plane No. 2, Megahan Wildner, was one of those cadets.
3. WILL CONTINUE-- The children and grandchildren say they will continue with the reunions once the Raiders are all deceased. They will continue to meet on or about April 18th each year. April 18, 1942, was the day of the raid.
What an Accomplishment. This Was Huge for the American Morale, Coming So Soon After Pearl Harbor. Not to Mention the Blow to the Japanese Morale. --Cooter
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Thousands Honor 5 of 9 Surviving Doolittle Raiders
The April 20th Air Force Link had an article about the April 16-18th 67th Doolittle's Raid Reunion held in Columbia, SC. Five of the nine surviving members attended.
There was a picture of Thomas Griffin, the navigator of Plane No. 8 signing autographs. In 1943, he was shot down over Germany, captured, and held prisoner until April 1945. So, this would be another anniversary for him as well.
A visible reminder of the flight deck of the USS Hornet was painted on the runway at the airport and, at least two of the Raiders went up in planes. Retired Lt. Col. Richard E. Cole, who was Doolittle's co-pilot in Plane No. 1 flew a B-25 for a short while.
Raiders who attended:
Richard E. Cole of Comfort, Texas
Lt. Col. Edward Saylor
Thomas Griffin of Cincinnati, Ohio
Lt. Col. Robert L. Hite of Nashville, Tennessee
Staff-Sgt. David J. Thatcher of Missoula, Montana
The Doolittle Crest "Toujours an Danger", "Always into Danger" was passed on to the airmen of the 34th Bomb Squadron flagship B-1.
About 40 Raider children and grandchildren also attended. There have been Reunions every year but two since 1946. A great tradition to carry on.
The Greatest Generation.
There was a picture of Thomas Griffin, the navigator of Plane No. 8 signing autographs. In 1943, he was shot down over Germany, captured, and held prisoner until April 1945. So, this would be another anniversary for him as well.
A visible reminder of the flight deck of the USS Hornet was painted on the runway at the airport and, at least two of the Raiders went up in planes. Retired Lt. Col. Richard E. Cole, who was Doolittle's co-pilot in Plane No. 1 flew a B-25 for a short while.
Raiders who attended:
Richard E. Cole of Comfort, Texas
Lt. Col. Edward Saylor
Thomas Griffin of Cincinnati, Ohio
Lt. Col. Robert L. Hite of Nashville, Tennessee
Staff-Sgt. David J. Thatcher of Missoula, Montana
The Doolittle Crest "Toujours an Danger", "Always into Danger" was passed on to the airmen of the 34th Bomb Squadron flagship B-1.
About 40 Raider children and grandchildren also attended. There have been Reunions every year but two since 1946. A great tradition to carry on.
The Greatest Generation.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Doolittle's Raiders Come to South Carolina
The Columbia (SC) State newspaper has been running articles on the Reunion of the Doolittle Raiders that took place this last weekend in that city. This is from April 12th.
One older resident who goes by the e-mail name rcorbitt, made a comment of interest that occurred when he was young and saw history taking place, but didn't realize it.
As a child, he lived near the Columbia Army Air Base in West Columbia, and he and his buddies would ride their bikes to the woods across from the base and "watch the planes land and take off. I remember watching the B-25s setting at the end of the runway one at a time and would rev up the engines so loud it was deafening and then all of a sudden they would go down the runway for a short distance and then go almost straight up into the air. Little did we know they were practicing taking off from an aircraft carrier."
The Raiders did some of their early training for the attack in Columbia.
Now, That's Some History to See. --Cooter
One older resident who goes by the e-mail name rcorbitt, made a comment of interest that occurred when he was young and saw history taking place, but didn't realize it.
As a child, he lived near the Columbia Army Air Base in West Columbia, and he and his buddies would ride their bikes to the woods across from the base and "watch the planes land and take off. I remember watching the B-25s setting at the end of the runway one at a time and would rev up the engines so loud it was deafening and then all of a sudden they would go down the runway for a short distance and then go almost straight up into the air. Little did we know they were practicing taking off from an aircraft carrier."
The Raiders did some of their early training for the attack in Columbia.
Now, That's Some History to See. --Cooter
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Doolittle's Raiders South Carolina Connection
Three of the Doolittle Raiders had SC connections.
HORACE "SALLY" CROUCH-- navigator, bombardier, and gunner, in Plane No. 10. A Citadel graduate from Columbia. No. 10 sustained the most damage of all 16. retired as a Lt. Col. in 1962.
NOLAN HERNDON-- navigator, bombardier and gunner in Plane No. 8. Attended Texas A & M for two years before joining the military in 1940. On the only one of the 16 planes to land in the Soviet Union rather than China where he a and four crew mates were held prisoners for a year.
As the last surviving member of #10, he caused controversy in 2002 when he said they were also on a secret mission to test the Soviets' commitment to the Allied cause. The US military has never confirmed or denied this.
After the war, he raised cattle and ran a wholesale grocery business in SC and married the sister of Horace Crouch.
WILLIAM "BILLY" FARROW-- from Darlington. Pilot of Plane No. 16. One of eight raiders captured by the Japanese in China. He was tortured for 6 months and executed at age 25 with two other Raiders. When news of his death reached the US, his "Rules of Life" written while a student at the University of South Carolina was touted by FDR as an example for the country. I wasn't able to find anything about his rules, however.
Heroes All. --Cooter
HORACE "SALLY" CROUCH-- navigator, bombardier, and gunner, in Plane No. 10. A Citadel graduate from Columbia. No. 10 sustained the most damage of all 16. retired as a Lt. Col. in 1962.
NOLAN HERNDON-- navigator, bombardier and gunner in Plane No. 8. Attended Texas A & M for two years before joining the military in 1940. On the only one of the 16 planes to land in the Soviet Union rather than China where he a and four crew mates were held prisoners for a year.
As the last surviving member of #10, he caused controversy in 2002 when he said they were also on a secret mission to test the Soviets' commitment to the Allied cause. The US military has never confirmed or denied this.
After the war, he raised cattle and ran a wholesale grocery business in SC and married the sister of Horace Crouch.
WILLIAM "BILLY" FARROW-- from Darlington. Pilot of Plane No. 16. One of eight raiders captured by the Japanese in China. He was tortured for 6 months and executed at age 25 with two other Raiders. When news of his death reached the US, his "Rules of Life" written while a student at the University of South Carolina was touted by FDR as an example for the country. I wasn't able to find anything about his rules, however.
Heroes All. --Cooter
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Doolittle Reunion In Columbia, SC, This Weekend
Big celebrations were held here on the 50th and 60th anniversaries, but this one will be more laid-back.
Nine of the 80 Raiders are still alive and six are planning on attending. Eleven of them were captured or killed after the attack. Fourteen complete crews were able to make it back to American lines.
Columbia's connection to the raid was that they did some of their initial training at the Lexington County Army Air Force Base in Columbia.
I went to Wikipedia and found the names of some of the 16 planes that took part:
Whiskey Pete, The Green Hornet, The Ruptured Duck (Good one), Whirling Dervish, Hari-Kari-er (especially appropriate), Fickle Finger of Fate, The Avenger, TNT, and Bat Out of Hell.
I wonder if the others had names?
A Salute to a Great Bunch of Guys!! --Cooter
Nine of the 80 Raiders are still alive and six are planning on attending. Eleven of them were captured or killed after the attack. Fourteen complete crews were able to make it back to American lines.
Columbia's connection to the raid was that they did some of their initial training at the Lexington County Army Air Force Base in Columbia.
I went to Wikipedia and found the names of some of the 16 planes that took part:
Whiskey Pete, The Green Hornet, The Ruptured Duck (Good one), Whirling Dervish, Hari-Kari-er (especially appropriate), Fickle Finger of Fate, The Avenger, TNT, and Bat Out of Hell.
I wonder if the others had names?
A Salute to a Great Bunch of Guys!! --Cooter
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