[STARMAN 352ND]

On April 18, 1942, 80 brave aviators known as the "Doolittle Raiders" flying B-25 bombers led the first American air raid on Japan.

JP

[mustangdriver]

Brave men, all of them. THey went on a mission not knowing where they were going, or what the mission was.

[bsmith13]

I am currently reading "I could never be so lucky again", Doolittle's Autobiography. I am distressed by the amount of crap the Raider's had to go through here in the States with lazy slow civilians who didn't feel the need to work quickly or carefully on their B-25s during the modification process. I resolved to try to do my job better in order to help the warfighter, whoever they may be.

[mustangdriver]

I am lucky enough to have a signed 8x10 from Doolittle. He is my idea of the classic aviator. A very nice man as well. A frined of mine form a local museum used to be on first name basis with him. So here I am a 14 year old back in 1993 and I am working the front desk for a few hours. THe phone rings and they ask for Scott. I asked who was calling, and the response I get was "Jim". I get my friend, and after they talk he tells me that it was Jimmy Doolittle. He then brings in pictures of them together from WWII until recent. My friend went to his funeral in 1994 or 95. I remember seeing the program form it. Luckily my friend got me a signed 8x10 before he passed. something at the time I thought was cool, but I did not collect. Lucky for me my mom loves crafts and stuff, and jumped on that right away putting it in a nice frame and stuff. It hangs in my game room today.

[RockJock]

Thanks Starman for bringing that to our attention. My sister in law was a neighbor to Travis Hoover. The pilot of the second B-25 to take off that day. So when ever we visited her I would go over to Mr. Hoover's house and chat with him about the Doolittle Raid. Boy,,,,, what a walking piece of History. To hear first hand in detail about one of the most famous bombing mission in the history of the US was a real treat. I even got him autograph Officer's Crusher hat for my collection. I'll have to TIVO the History Channel today, I'm sure they will have a few episodes about this.

[mustangdriver]

That is awsome, a real great chance to hear history first hand. THat is one of the reasons I love to do the interviews with the veterans.

[hworth18]

On this same day in 1943, Operation Peacock is a success.. This was the mission to assasinate Admiral Yamamoto..

[SKUNKY]

Originally Posted by bsmith13

I am distressed by the amount of crap the Raider's had to go through here in the States with lazy slow civilians who didn't feel the need to work quickly or carefully on their B-25s during the modification process...

...so I guess not everyone in "The Greatest Generation" was that great after all.....maybe it's just one of those things we like to believe.

[Elmer]

I read 30 Seconds Over Tokyo years and years ago when I was in Jr. High School. I credit that book for cementing my love of WWII Aviation (the movie isn't bad either! I wish FM's rendition of the Ruptured Duck could be as good, but alas, it isn't).

[SKUNKY]

Originally Posted by Elmer

I read 30 Seconds Over Tokyo years and years ago when I was in Jr. High School. I credit that book for cementing my love of WWII Aviation (the movie isn't bad either! I wish FM's rendition of the Ruptured Duck could be as good, but alas, it isn't).

The book is much better as ya don't have to put up with that horrid fart, Van Johnson and whoever the was that played Mrs Lawson...Totally agree on the assessment of FM's Ruptured Duck...it's not bad, but for something that takes up so much space, I wish I could like it better.