Ellsworth Airmen celebrate 69th Doolittle Raiders Reunion

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Alessandra N. Gamboa
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  Two representatives from the 34th Bomb Squadron travelled from Ellsworth to Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., to participate in an event honoring the five surviving Doolittle Raiders, April 14 and 15.

Capt. Joshua Krum and Capt. Maria Hunter, 34th Bomb Squadron weapon system officers, attended the 69th Doolittle Raiders Reunion, which included a flyover by an Ellsworth B-1B Lancer at Wyuka Cemetery in Lincoln, Neb., and a wreath-laying ceremony at the grave of one of the Doolittle Raiders, April 14.

"The flyby was a great success," Captain Hunter said. "Everyone in attendance was very impressed, and many people asked if the B-1 could turn around and come back one more time."

The captains also attended a special reunion luncheon with the surviving Raiders at Offutt, April 15. At the luncheon, the Doolittle Raiders told stories from their bomb raid of Japan on April 18, 1942.

The five surviving Doolittle Raiders are retired Col. Richard E. Cole, Crew 1 co-pilot; retired Lt. Col. Robert L. Hite, Crew 16 co-pilot; retired Maj. Thomas C. Griffin, Crew 9 navigator; retired Maj. Edward J. Saylor, Crew 15 engineer; and retired Staff Sgt. David J. Thatcher, Crew 7 engineer gunner.

Captain Hunter said although she was unable to spend much time speaking with the survivors, the opportunity to participate in the events and thank them personally for their contributions was both an honor and a privilege.

"It was definitely a great privilege to attend the Doolittle Reunion," Captain Hunter said. "While we did not get to meet or talk with the five remaining individuals personally, it was still an honor just to shake their hands and say 'thank you.' There is a lot of history behind the patches we wear, and everyone at Ellsworth should feel like they are a part of continuing such a great heritage - especially since we have three of the four original Raider Squadrons --Thunderbirds, Tigers and The Flying Helmets."

Once activated, Det. 1, 432nd Attack Squadron will join the 34th and 37th Bomb Squadrons, each direct descendents of three of the four original squadrons that made up the Doolittle Raiders.

In January 1942, Gen. Henry "Hap" Arnold selected Lt. Col. James Doolittle to lead Special Aviation Project No. 1, a top secret plan which called for B-25s to take off from an aircraft carrier about 450 miles from Japan. The bombers struck selected targets in Tokyo, then flew another 1,600 miles to friendly airfields in mainland China. The legendary Doolittle Raid not only proved to be a monumental achievement in airpower, but also helped bolster morale in America during World War II.

Captain Hunter added that the two remaining Thunderbirds from the original squadron (Colonel Cole and Major Griffin) were very happy to see their patch still being worn and to know their squadron is still alive.