The 75th Anniversary of the Doolittle Raid was celebrated at the National Museum of the United States Air Force, on April 18, 2017. Air Force Chief of Staff General David L. Goldfein spoke at the ceremony.
Attending the event was the only living member of the Doolittle Raiders, Lt. Col. (Ret.) Richard E. Cole.
Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David L. Goldfein, talks to retired Lt. Col. Richard E. Cole. Photo by Wesley Farnsworth, Us Air Force
“Today we observe the 75th anniversary of a mission that electrified our nation and raised its morale during a time of dire need. A mission consisting of 80 volunteer Airmen – enlisted men and officers alike, led by Lt. Col. James H. “Jimmy” Doolittle, a man small in physical stature, but a giant in terms of leadership and courage. A mission known as Special Aviation Project Number One, the first major Joint operation since the Civil War,” said Thatcher during the ceremony.
At the conclusion of the memorial service, two B-1 bombers flew over Memorial Park at a speed of 0.9 Mach and ascended into an unrestricted climb as a tribute to the Doolittle Tokyo Raiders, who pioneered the concept of Global Strike, the idea that no target on earth is safe from American airpower. – Wright-Patterson Air Force Base
Watch the Story of the Doolittle Tokyo Raiders. An Amazing Mission.
Featured image by US Air Force
