JBSA-Randolph to host commemorative toast for Doolittle Raider
In April 1942, the United States struck the heart of the Japanese empire with a surprise raid of its own. Led valiantly by MoH recipient Lt Col Jimmy Doolittle, 16 B-25B Mitchell medium bombers launched from the U.S. S. Hornet early on the morning of April 18 and hit industrial and military targets around Tokyo and Yokohama, Japan. One aircraft, Plane #13 piloted by 1st Lt. Edgar McElroy even put a small bomb into the Japanese aircraft carrier Ryuho-thanks to his stellar bombardier, Master Sgt. Robert Bourgeois (for which he received the DFC). None of the bombers were shot down, although gunners on the B-25 were credited with a few Japanese fighters. Running low on fuel and light, all but one of the B-25s were abandoned or crashed in China (one slipped away to Vladivostok, USSR where the crew was interned). (Courtesy graphic)