Posted on 04/12/2019 2:57:42 PM PDT by Coronal
SAN ANTONIO, Texas - The last of World War II’s daring ‘Doolittle Raiders’ has passed away. Lt. Col. Richard Cole died Tuesday in San Antonio at the age of 103, according to the Air Force Times.
The Ohio native played a significant role in one of the war’s most pivotal – and risky – early events. Cole served as co-pilot for then-Lt. Col. James Doolittle during the first American bombing raid on Japan, which provided an important morale boost to a nation haunted by the attack on Pearl Harbor.
(Excerpt) Read more at fox46charlotte.com ...
Rest in peace, this true hero.
Safe in the arms of Christ,
“Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo”
http://losmovies.pro/free-movie/tt30944/watch-online-thirty-seconds-over-tokyo
I post a link to this vintage film because if not for Mikey_Mouse congressional payoffs it would be out of copyright.
They had to launch 200 miles further out than planned because they were spotted by a Japanese picket boat. They all figured it was a suicide mission, that they’d never make it to China. Doolittle gave them a no questions asked out. None took it.
I read James Scott’s book on this, “Target Toyko”. It had a lot of information in it and was a great book about these guys.
There were actually two extra crews on board the Hornet in case of the need for replacements. One aircraft commander was nit totally I happy with his co-pilot, Col. Robert Hite, then a Lt. then I think, was asked of he would like to go and he said yes.
All of the replacement men tried everything to go, no one, and I mean no one wanted to be left behind and yes they all knew it was a suicide mission but they all wanted to go anyway.
Yes. The were men.
I was going to say they were men also. But saying it again is well deserved.
These men are true heroes despite their humility! There is little doubt, their raid shortened the Pacific war by altering Japanese strategy. Midway likely would not have happened in early ‘42 if not for Dolittle’s raiders.Midway resulted in putting Japan on the defensive early in the war. RIP to all of these Real Men!
Thank you, Sir.
RIP
Rest in peace, Sir.
Mission accomplished and a job well done.
This was recreated for the film “Pearl Harbor” with actual flesh and blood (figuratively speaking) B-25J Mitchells taking off from the deck of the USS Constellation.
You can watch the scene at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrEqJZVk0sU
Best part of it, you won’t have to sit through the movie to see it.
The was great! Thanks.
My Dad helped to build the practice fields in Florida.
Truly, the Greatest Generation. Col.Cole, your heroic crewmembers have been waiting for you, Sir.
Thanks for sharing that. It made me so proud, again.
I found this essay about the raid that had a whole bunch of links.
The Doolittle Raid
http://usdefensewatch.com/2018/04/the-doolittle-raid/
Met Doolittle’s son once had a great talk with him about his dad and the raid.
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