FORT WALTON BEACH — The Doolittle Tokyo Raiders will end their longstanding tradition of reunions this year at the place where it all started.
The group of 80 men made famous by their April 18, 1942, bombing on Tokyo that lifted American morale during World War II is down to five living members.
“It was a very emotional decision to make,” said Tom Casey, business manager for the Doolittle Tokyo Raiders. “I think this was one of the toughest things I‘ve ever done.”
The Raiders trained at then Eglin Field with Lt. Col. James H. “Jimmy” Doolittle, who led the 16 Army B-25 bombers off the deck of the Navy aircraft carrier to bomb five major Japanese cities.
The four active Raiders decided last October that this year would be their final reunion. The decision was announced Friday.
via www.stripes.com
Image description:
Retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. James H. "Jimmy" Doolittle, center, clasps hands in a gesture of friendship with two former enemies, retired Japanese Rear Admirals Heijiro Abe, left, and Sadao Chigusa, at a luncheon held in Doolittle's honor at the American Club in Tokyo in March, 1974. Doolittle led the famous April 18, 1942 bombing raid on Tokyo that provided Americans with a much-needed morale boost after a string of early Japanese successes. Abe flew a fighter-bomber in the attacks on both Pearl Harbor and Midway Island, while Chigusa served as executive officer of a destroyer accompanying the Japanese carriers whose planes hit Pearl Harbor. HIDEYUKI MIHASHI/STARSAND STRIPES
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