Doolittle Raiders celebrate 65 years since historic mission

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Matthew Bates
  • Air Force News Agency
SAN ANTONIO (AFNEWS) --  Seven surviving members of the famed "Doolittle Raiders" met in San Antonio in mid April to celebrate the 65th anniversary of the unit's historic bombing mission over Japan April 18, 1942.

The raid, which consisted of 16 B-25 Mitchell bombers taking off from the deck of an Navy aircraft carrier, was a response to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor nearly five months earlier. 

Of the 80 men who took part in the raid, three died during the mission and all 16 aircraft were lost when their crews had to ditch or bail out over China when they ran out of fuel. The Raiders were named after the unit's commander, Col. Jimmy Doolittle.

"Without the leadership of (Colonel Doolittle) there would have been no raid," said retired Lt. Col. Robert Hite, a co-pilot during the raid. "With that one mission, he changed the attitude of two nations."

For the United States, the mission marked the first offensive campaign launched by the nation's military against Japan and brought faith to its citizens. For Japan, the raid shattered the island nation's previously held belief it was beyond attack.

"We were eager to hit the enemy," Colonel Hite said. "And that's what we did."

Each year since 1947, the surviving raiders assemble on the anniversary of the raid, a meeting that has evolved into an annual gathering of one of the most elite military fraternities in the world. At every reunion, surviving Raiders meet privately to conduct a solemn "goblet ceremony." After a roll call and a toast to the Raiders who have died since their last meeting, the remaining Raiders turn the deceased men's goblets upside down.

When only two Raiders remain, they will open a bottle of brandy from 1896 -- the year of Colonel Doolittle's birth -- and toast their fallen comrades. There are 14 Raiders alive today.

Several events were held in conjunction with the Doolittle Raiders' visit, including an opening ceremony at Randolph Air Force Base, a static display and tours of a B-25 Mitchell bomber, a book signing and a special appearance at a graduation ceremony for new Airmen at Lackland AFB.

"Today's Airmen are still the best in the world," said retired Col. Bill Bower, a pilot during the raid. "I think a lot of that has to do with the spirit of this nation and the fact that its military love what they are defending."

Details of the reunion can be found at www.b-25yellowrose.com

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