As revenge for Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor, 80 US pilots, gunners, navigators and bombardiers led by Lt. Col. James "Jimmy" Doolittle performed a daring one-way mission to bomb Japan in 1942. Half of the mission's 16 North American B-25 Mitchell bombers are seen here parked on the flight deck of the USS Hornet. Click through the gallery to see more images of the raid.
As revenge for Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor, 80 US pilots, gunners, navigators and bombardiers led by Lt. Col. James "Jimmy" Doolittle performed a daring one-way mission to bomb Japan in 1942. Half of the mission's 16 North American B-25 Mitchell bombers are seen here parked on the flight deck of the USS Hornet. Click through the gallery to see more images of the raid.
US Navy Photo
The crew of the lead aircraft included (from left): navigator Lt. Henry "Hank" Potter, pilot Lt. Col. James "Jimmy" Doolittle, bombardier Staff Sgt. Fred Braemer, co-pilot Lt. Richard "Dick" Cole and engineer/gunner Staff Sgt. Paul Leonard.
The crew of the lead aircraft included (from left): navigator Lt. Henry "Hank" Potter, pilot Lt. Col. James "Jimmy" Doolittle, bombardier Staff Sgt. Fred Braemer, co-pilot Lt. Richard "Dick" Cole and engineer/gunner Staff Sgt. Paul Leonard.
National Museum of the US Air Force
As the Hornet steamed toward Japan, the B-25 bombers, left, shared the deck with Navy Wildcat fighter planes, right. The B-25s had "tricycle" landing gear different from so-called "tail-draggers," like the Wildcats, which had small wheels that supported the tail.
As the Hornet steamed toward Japan, the B-25 bombers, left, shared the deck with Navy Wildcat fighter planes, right. The B-25s had "tricycle" landing gear different from so-called "tail-draggers," like the Wildcats, which had small wheels that supported the tail.
US Navy Photo
The Mitchells gained a reputation as perhaps the most versatile aircraft of World War II. It "was used for high- and low-level bombing, strafing, photo reconnaissance, submarine patrol, and even as a fighter," according to Boeing. They were also known for their loud engine noise inside the cockpit and crew cabin.
The Mitchells gained a reputation as perhaps the most versatile aircraft of World War II. It "was used for high- and low-level bombing, strafing, photo reconnaissance, submarine patrol, and even as a fighter," according to Boeing. They were also known for their loud engine noise inside the cockpit and crew cabin.
US Navy Photo
On April 18, 1942, a B-25 Mitchell piloted by Doolittle and co-piloted by Cole took off for Tokyo from the USS Hornet about 650 miles from Japan.
On April 18, 1942, a B-25 Mitchell piloted by Doolittle and co-piloted by Cole took off for Tokyo from the USS Hornet about 650 miles from Japan.
National Museum US Air Force
"I remember thinking we had just separated ourselves from civilization," said co-pilot Cole. "The range of our short-wave radio was only about 45 miles and we were going to be more than 45 miles away from civilization for eight or 10 hours. In a way, it was a little bit scary."<br />
"I remember thinking we had just separated ourselves from civilization," said co-pilot Cole. "The range of our short-wave radio was only about 45 miles and we were going to be more than 45 miles away from civilization for eight or 10 hours. In a way, it was a little bit scary."
National Museum US Air Force
Cole and Doolittle made one circle over the Hornet and then pointed the airplane toward Japan. They were followed by the 15 remaining planes. Their grueling mission had begun.
Cole and Doolittle made one circle over the Hornet and then pointed the airplane toward Japan. They were followed by the 15 remaining planes. Their grueling mission had begun.
National Museum of the US Air Force
The B-25s targeted five Japanese cities. Doolittle's bomber was the first to fly over Japan. It dropped four incendiary bombs on a Tokyo factory area. After hitting their targets, Doolittle and 14 other B-25s flew west toward China, which was fighting off a Japanese invasion. One crew flew to the Soviet Union.
The B-25s targeted five Japanese cities. Doolittle's bomber was the first to fly over Japan. It dropped four incendiary bombs on a Tokyo factory area. After hitting their targets, Doolittle and 14 other B-25s flew west toward China, which was fighting off a Japanese invasion. One crew flew to the Soviet Union.
US Air Force
When Doolittle and Cole reached China, their plane was low on fuel. Unable to find an airfield for a safe landing at night in a thunderstorm, the crew bailed out, allowing the B-25 to crash into a nearby mountainside. Eleven of the 16 crews bailed out. Four planes crash landed. The crew that flew to the Soviet Union landed safely. Of the 80 raiders, three were killed in action. Eight were captured; one starved to death in a Japanese prison camp and three were executed.
When Doolittle and Cole reached China, their plane was low on fuel. Unable to find an airfield for a safe landing at night in a thunderstorm, the crew bailed out, allowing the B-25 to crash into a nearby mountainside. Eleven of the 16 crews bailed out. Four planes crash landed. The crew that flew to the Soviet Union landed safely. Of the 80 raiders, three were killed in action. Eight were captured; one starved to death in a Japanese prison camp and three were executed.
US Navy Photo
Lt. Col. Robert Hite was one of eight Doolittle raiders captured by Japanese forces. After 40 months in captivity, Hite was freed in 1945. He died in 2015 at age 95. <br />
Lt. Col. Robert Hite was one of eight Doolittle raiders captured by Japanese forces. After 40 months in captivity, Hite was freed in 1945. He died in 2015 at age 95.
US Air Force
Cole, Doolittle and their three crewmen safely parachuted to the ground. Days later, friendly Nationalist Chinese troops escorted them to a US military aircraft, which flew them to safety. Now 101 years old, Cole is the last living Doolittle raider. He toasted the mission's 75th anniversary in April 2016 at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas.
Cole, Doolittle and their three crewmen safely parachuted to the ground. Days later, friendly Nationalist Chinese troops escorted them to a US military aircraft, which flew them to safety. Now 101 years old, Cole is the last living Doolittle raider. He toasted the mission's 75th anniversary in April 2016 at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas.
Airman 1st Class Stormy Archer/US Air Force