Free Republic

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....

World War II heroes kick off five-day celebrationA LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT President Bush sent the Raiders a letter that was read at Wednesday night's reception: "Your actions during World War II and your contributions to our Nation will never be forgotten. "As our Nation confronts the challenges of a new era, I salute the example set by the Doolittle Raiders. Their bravery and devotion to duty are an inspiration to all Americans." 'TODAY SHOW' NBC's "Today Show," which airs from 7 to 10 a.m., plans to feature the Raiders' story this morning. The 60th anniversary reunion of Doolittle's Tokyo...

<p>Lt. Horace Crouch, "Sally" to buddies since his early teen-age years in Columbia, hunkered down in the bombardier's position in the Plexiglas nose of a B-25 bomber and watched anxiously for the USS Hornet's deckmaster to signal pilot Richard Joyce.</p>