An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Famed WWII Doolittle Raiders reunite at Air Force Museum

  • Published
  • By Gabriel Myers
  • 88th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
Four of the remaining eight famed Doolittle Raiders known for their nearly impossible bombing raid on Japan, reunited for the 68th year from April 16-18 at the National Museum of the United States Air Force.

Retired Lt. Col. Richard E. Cole, 94, of Comfort, Texas; Maj. Thomas C. Griffin, 92, of Cincinnati, Ohio; Lt. Col. Robert L. Hite, 90, of Nashville, Tenn., and Master Sgt. David J. Thatcher, 88, of Missoula, Mont., came together again to share memories, sign autographs and be recognized as an iconic piece of American history that helped propel the allies to victory in World War II.

On April 18, 1942, Col. Jimmy Doolittle led a group of 80 men to fly B-25 Bombers from the deck of an aircraft carrier more than 600 miles to drop bombs on Japan. At the time, getting a bomber airborne from an aircraft carrier's deck had barely been tested.

The bold and rebellious nature of the mission personified the nation's will to fight and lifted the American spirit.

The reunion kicked off Friday afternoon with the men at the museum signing autographs on books, airplanes, photos and even clothing with hundreds waiting their turn to meet the famed aviators in the modern airpower gallery. Those who attended were eager to hear their story and talk about the importance of their mission in shaping the outcome of World War II.

"Well, I'm an aviation historian and it's also an opportunity to meet the great heroes of American history," said Bob Jaques, who drove from Alabama to attend.

Air Force Secretary Michael B. Donley, who attended a dinner in the Raiders honor Friday night, said the men continue to be an inspiration to Airmen today.

"The Doolittle Raiders have a very special place in the history of the Air Force," Secretary Donley said prior to the dinner. "They've provided such great examples to us of leadership, of audacity, of innovation and personal courage, in some of the darkest days of World War II."

The men were honored on Saturday by a fly-in to the museum's runway of 17 privately owned replica B-25 Mitchell bombers from all over the country. Officials say it was one of the largest gatherings of B-25s since World War II.

On Saturday the Raiders participated in a ceremony to toast and honor their fellow colleagues who have died. Following the toast, the last survivors overturned the goblets of those who have died since the last reunion.

Throughout the weekend the men signed hundreds of autographs and spoke with well-wishers who were eager to see, honor and be a part of American history.

The event concluded with the B-25s taking off from the museum runways with thousands of spectators lining the streets and fence lines to attempt getting a glimpse of the aircraft and ensuing fly over by all 17 aircraft for a memorial service in the early afternoon.

Museum director retired Air Force Maj. Gen. Charles Metcalf told the crowd at the memorial service that the word "hero" is over-used in this country and broadly applied to sports figures, rock stars and others.

"Today, in the truest sense of the word, we are among heroes," he said.