Five Doolittle Raiders to attend reunion at Air Force museum
President Ronald Reagan and Senator Barry Goldwater award Gen. Jimmy Doolittle a fourth star 26 years after his retirement from the U.S. Air Force. Gen.Doolittle was advanced to four-star rank by Senate confirmation, making him the first person in Air Force Reserve history to wear four stars. Photo taken April 10, 1985 by Bill Fitz-Patrick, White House Photo Office.
DAYTON, Ohio (AP) – The remaining five Doolittle Tokyo Raiders who made a daring U.S. air strike on Japan after the attack on Pearl Harbor plan to attend the group’s reunion this spring in Ohio.
Officials at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force near Dayton say the event April 17 through April 20 will commemorate the 70th anniversary of the raid by 80 flyers led by Lt. Col. James “Jimmy” Doolittle. Historians have said the World War II bombing mission on April 18, 1942, inflicted little damage on Japan but boosted morale in the U.S.
The reunion at the museum will include a banquet, a memorial service and autograph sessions. Officials also hope funding can be found to fly in and land 25 B-25 bombers as a tribute.
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ADDITIONAL IMAGES OF NOTE
President Ronald Reagan and Senator Barry Goldwater award Gen. Jimmy Doolittle a fourth star 26 years after his retirement from the U.S. Air Force. Gen.Doolittle was advanced to four-star rank by Senate confirmation, making him the first person in Air Force Reserve history to wear four stars. Photo taken April 10, 1985 by Bill Fitz-Patrick, White House Photo Office.
James H. Doolittle, the NACA’s last chairman, photographed in February 1928 with his Curtiss R3C-2 Racer, the plane in which he won the 1925 Schneider Trophy Race. NASA photo.
