On April 187, 1942, 80 men and 16 planes embarked on one of the most daring raids in World War II.
Under the command of Col. James H. "Jimmy" Doolittle 16 B-25 bombers took off from the USS Hornet to bomb Tokyo and four other cities in Japan. It was the first time that land-based bombers took of from an aircraft carrier. The B-25 was a two engine bomber with a range of 2000 miles.
Following months of training in Florida, the crews and planes flew to California and loaded onto the USS Hornet. It was then that the 80 men knew their destination. It was a little surprising the Hornet and its escort left California during daylight. In the early part of the war, every person of Japanese ancestry was suspected on spying.
The mission was to sail to within 650 miles of the Japanese mainland, take off, and bomb five Japanese cities including Tokyo. After bombing the cities the planes were to fly to friendly airfields in China. It was not known if the planes with the extra fuel and bombs could make the flight.
On the morning of April 18, a small Japanese scout vessel spotted the task force. Although it was sunk by American warships, it was no known if the enemy vessel had time to radio the position of the task force. Col. Doolittle and Adm. "Bull" Halsey made a decision to launch the raid immediately. They were 650 miles from Japan. It seemed more like a suicide mission.
All 16 planes were able to takeoff from the Hornet during high winds and high seas.
The raid over the Japanese cities was a surprise and a success. What happened afterwards is the stuff that legends and movies are made of.
A freak storm helped the bombers reach land. Several ships crashed near the China coast and one ship landed safely in eastern Russia. The crew of that plane were interned in a Russian camp, but escaped.
Chinese civilians helped other crews to hide from Japanese soldiers and most of the crews were reunited in China. Eight of the raiders were captured by the Japanese.
The POWs were tried, convicted, and sentenced to death. Four of the captured raiders were executed by their captors. One crew member died in a Japanese camp of disease. The remaining three were liberated by US forces in 1944.
Col. Doolittle, later promoted to general, received the Medal of Honor from President Roosevelt. The other raiders received the Distinguished Flying Cross, the second highest honor for the Air Forces. Other raiders received Silver Stars and other honors for gallantry and bravery.
Pilot Ted Lawson whose leg was amputated shortly after bailing out write the Book Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo which later became a movie.
Each year the surviving members of the raid hold a reunion to honor themselves and their fallen comrades. This year's reunion was held April 15-17, 2005.
The Doolittle Raid was one of the most successful and dramatic events of World War II. It helped to raise morale throughout the country after the devastating attack at Pearl Harbor.
The raid and the subsequent Japanese loss at Midway Island were turning pints that led to the eventual defeat of the Japanese. It is a day and event that should be remembered by all Americans.
For more on the Doolittle Raid, click here.
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