On April 18, 1942, 80 men achieved the unimaginable when they took off from an aircraft carrier on a top secret mission to bomb Japan. These men, led by Lt. Col. James H. “Jimmy” Doolittle, came to be known as the Doolittle Tokyo Raiders.
Today, just one of the men survive: Lt. Col. Richard “Dick” E. Cole, who served as Doolittle’s co-pilot on Crew Number 1. Cole, now 101 years old, returned to the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the raid and to pay tribute to fellow Raider SSgt. David Thatcher, who passed away in 2016.
Eleven B-25 Mitchell bombers were on static display on the runway behind the museum on April 17-18. There was a B-25 formation flyover prior to the start of a memorial service on 18 April, there was also a "Missing Man" formation and finally two B-1's from Ellsworth AFB flew over at the conclusion of the memorial service. In addition their were book signings by several authors, and a special film screening on the evening of April 18 of “Doolittle’s Raiders: The Final Toast.”
(All activities are subject to change).
April 17
8 a.m. B-25 bombers arrive at runway behind museum
Public Viewing Location: Backside of Memorial Park
10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. B-25 bombers on static display
Location: Runway behind the museum
Enter grounds through gate at the corner of Col Glenn Hwy & Spinning Rd
Throughout Day Author Book signings*
Location: Air Force Museum Store
Authors include:
Stan Cohen, "Destination Tokyo" James Scott, "Target Tokyo: Jimmy Doolittle and the Raid That Avenged Pearl Harbor"
Frank Goldstein, "The Last Reunion: A Salute to The Jimmy Doolittle Tokyo Raiders"
Dennis Okerstrom, "Dick Cole's War: Doolittle Raider, Hump Pilot, Air Commando"
April 18
9 a.m. – 12 p.m. B-25 bombers on static display
All vehicles must be removed from runway grounds by 12 p.m.
10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Public Commemorative postmark cancellation Location: NMUSAF gift shop
1:30 p.m. B-25's depart runway in preparation for the formation fly-over
2:15 p.m. B-25 bomber flyover
Location: Memorial Park
2:30 p.m. Memorial Service and Wreath Laying
Approx. 3:15 p.m. B-1 bomber flyover from the 34th and 37th Bomb Squadrons
Stan Cohen, "Destination Tokyo"
James Scott, "Target Tokyo: Jimmy Doolittle and the Raid That Avenged Pearl Harbor"
6:30 p.m. “Doolittle’s Raiders: The Final Toast”
Living History Film Series presented by Mr. W. Craig Willan*
Location: Air Force Museum Theatre
Please note: This event is Sold Out
Note: All outdoor events are weather dependent. The memorial service will still take place indoors at the Carney Auditorium in the event of inclement weather.
* Air Force Museum Foundation hosted events. Federal endorsement is not implied.
Updated 3/16/17
B-25 Arrivals for the 75th Anniv. Doolittle Tokyo Raid
75th Anniv. Doolittle Tokyo Raid-Full Ceremony
Interview with B-25 "Miss Hap" Pilot
Interview with Lt. Col. Dick Cole B-25 "Panchito" Ceremonial Flight
B-25 Mitchell bombers to highlight events commemorating 75th Anniversary of the Doolittle Tokyo Raid (posted 3/15/17)
National Museum of the U.S. Air Force to commemorate 75th Anniversary of the Doolittle Tokyo Raid (posted 11/22/16)
788th Explosive Ordnance Disposal AFIT Center for Space Research and Assurance AIAA Dayton-Cincinnati Section Air Force Museum Foundation Air Force Research Laboratory Discovery Lab
Air Force Research Laboratory Materials and Manufacturing Directorate
Challenger Learning Center of Dayton Cincinnati Observatory Center, Friends of the Observatory Engineers Club of Dayton Girl Scouts of Western Ohio Greene County Public Library Inventors Council (ICOD) KinderCare Mars Society - Ohio Chapter Miami Valley Astronomical Society
NASA Glenn Research Center National Air & Space Intelligence Center (NASIC) National Aviation Hall of Fame Learning Center PowerStackers Robotics R2-D2 Club SWFTEC Team Ohio Rocketry Club WPAFB Force Support Fitness Special thanks to our costumed characters: Ayn Wood (costume designer) 4Paws for Ability
501st Legion (Star Wars) Rebel Legion (Star Wars)
WSU Public History Program
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The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force is located at:
1100 Spaatz Street Wright-Patterson AFB OH 45433
(near Dayton, Ohio)