Boulder WWII hero Bill Bower dies at 93 ( last of Doolittle's Raiders )

Camera ^ | 01/10/2011 | Amy Bounds

[george76]

Col. William Marsh "Bill" Bower, the last surviving pilot of "Doolittle's Raiders" who bombed Japan in 1942, died Monday at his home in south Boulder.

He was 93 and "lived a completely full life," said his son Jim Bower.

"My dad was a hell of a guy," he said. "He was a brave soul, a warrior. He was everybody's friend. He did all kinds of volunteer work. He was an exceptional human being."

Bill Bower was hailed as a hero for his role in the United States' first air attack on Japan following the bombing of Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. He volunteered and was chosen for the mission, which was planned and led by Lt. Col. James "Jimmy" Doolittle.

On April 18, 1942, 16 B25B Mitchell medium bombers took off from the decks of the U.S.S. Hornet in the western Pacific Ocean. Because landing planes of that size on the Hornet was impossible, the pilots continued toward China after bombing their targets in Japan.

All but one of the aircraft, which landed in the Soviet Union, crashed in China or were ditched at sea. Of the 80 crew members, 11 were either captured or killed; the rest returned to the United States.

[A_Former_Democrat]

So sad to see The Great Generation go.

[Virginia Ridgerunner]

First Dick Winters, and now Bill Bower. It’s turning out to be a really bad week.

[ConorMacNessa]

Rest in Peace, Colonel!

Lamh Foistenach Abu!

[pabianice]

RIP, Shipmate.

[EnigmaticAnomaly]

RIP Col. Bower.

Another of The Greatest Generation passes from us and leaves us a bit poorer in spirit. This, on top of Major Winters' passing yesterday, is sad as these men exemplified what it means to be TRUE PATRIOTIC AMERICANS.

[AU72]

Saw the story of the Dolittle Raid on cable this weekend.

Every year they gather to toast Dolittle and their fallen comrades and turn upside down the glass of those who passed that year.

[therightliveswithus]

A true hero. Rest in peace

[GitmoSailor]

.........................RIP.............................

[Grampa Dave]

This man was a true hero.

Not just to our generation but to many young 30-40 something relatives of ours and their friends. Most of them watched the series several times. In fact we were told about the series by our older son.

[Doogle]

Lt.William Bower at the time...front left

[Kartographer]

Col. Bill Bower felt right at home in the command seat of the B-25 Pacific Prowler."

“Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of earth, And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;

Sunward I’ve climbed and joined the trembling mirth of sun-split clouds
– and done 100 things you have not dreamed of
– wheeled and soared and swung high in the sunlit silence.

Hov’ring there,
I’ve chased the shouting wind along and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air.

Up, up the long delirious, burning blue
I’ve topped the wind-swept hills with easy grace,
Where never lark, or even eagle flew;

And, while with silent, lifting mind, I trod
The high untrespassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand, and touched the face of God!”

By John Gillespie Maggee, killed in action at the age of 19 was serving with the Royal Canadian Air Force

[Doogle]

....jeeeeze sorry bout that...I thought I reduced it...

[Doogle]

[Doogle]

http://www.doolittleraider.com/

[A.A. Cunningham]

( last of Doolittle's Raiders )

Five survivng Raiders

[EternalVigilance]

RIP.

[Larry Lucido]

RIP

[Larry Lucido]

It’s okay. These guys were giants. :-)

[rottndog]

Farewell to a truly gutsy American Hero...in every sense of the word.


Thank you for my freedom, Mr. Bower, and may you Rest In Eternally Honored Peace!