The Doolittle Raid

Richard Cole, the last of the Doolittle Raiders died on April 10, 2019. The Doolittle Raid, also known as the Tokyo Raid, commenced on April 18, 1942. Sixteen U.S. Army Air Forces B-25B Mitchell medium bombers were launched without fighter escort from the U.S. Navy’s aircraft carrier USS Hornet, led by (then Col.) Jimmy Doolittle.

The Raid was a total secret to all involved and the members of the raid were chosen by volunteering for a “dangerous secret mission”. The members did not know the target destination until the planes were loaded on the ship and the raid was underway. This was to prevent any “leakage” of information about the raid.

The Doolittle Tokyo Raiders were a group of eighty men from all walks of life who flew into history. They were to fly over Japan, drop their bombs and fly on to land in a part of China that was still free.

Fifteen of the aircraft reached China, and the other one landed in the Soviet Union. All but three of the crew survived, but all the aircraft were lost. Eight crewmen were captured by the Japanese Army in China; three of these were executed. At 103 Richard Cole was the last living veteran.

Recorded on April 16th . 2019

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