[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 52 (Wednesday, April 17, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E485-E486]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING THE HEROISM AND EXTRAORDINARY SERVICE OF THE DOOLITTLE TOKYO 
       RAIDERS ON THE OCCASION OF THEIR SEVENTY-FIRST ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JEFF MILLER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 17, 2013

  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I am privileged to recognize the 
Doolittle Tokyo Raiders for their heroism and extraordinary service and 
sacrifice that lifted our Nation and helped propel the Allies to 
victory over Japan in World War Two.
   On April 18, 1942, as a response to Japan's surprise attack on our 
Nation, eighty brave Americans from the 17th Bombardment Group (Medium) 
set out to execute a first-of-its-kind mission to bring the fight Japan 
started to their homeland. Led by then Lieutenant Colonel Jimmy 
Doolittle, these heroic men all volunteered for what they were told to 
be an extremely hazardous mission and were still willing to put their 
lives in harm's way to help defend our great Nation.
   The mission, thought by many to be near impossible, required 
innovations and extensive training to include secret preparations 
conducted in March 1942 at Eglin Field in the First Congressional 
District of Florida. These intensive preparations included training for 
accomplishing short takeoffs and landings and techniques for fuel 
efficient flying. Eglin Field helped serve as the proving ground for 
the military's innovations and techniques required to ensure these 
brave American's were ready for their mission.
   After months of Japanese military successes in the Pacific, these 
brave airmen set out on a mission that changed the tide of the Second 
World War and lifted the morale and spirits of a grateful Nation. On 
that day, they

[[Page E486]]

planned to launch their sixteen modified B-25 bombers from the deck of 
the aircraft carrier USS Hornet, flying to Japan to drop their bombs 
and then fly on to land in a part of China that was still free from 
Japanese occupation.
   However, despite their extensive preparations, the USS Hornet was 
discovered by the Japanese 170 miles further from their prearranged 
aircraft launching point. Still, these selfless and brave American's 
decided to continue with their mission despite the fact they were 
beyond the distance considered to be safe for launch. The Doolittle 
Tokyo Raiders deliberately accepted the risk that their B-25's might 
have only the fuel required to reach their targets but not enough to 
ensure their safe landing.
   Despite the obstacles presented to these men, they successfully 
reached Japan, dropped their bombs and set on their journey to find a 
safe landing site. Because of their deliberate choice to launch early, 
they found themselves low on fuel navigating in increasingly 
deteriorating weather. None of the sixteen B-25's launched reached 
their pre-planned landing sites. Of the eighty Doolittle Raiders who 
conducted the raid, seven gave the ultimate sacrifice with the loss of 
their lives while defending the freedoms we all enjoy today.
   The Doolittle Tokyo Raiders acts of heroism and extraordinary 
airmanship while facing unimaginable odds against their own safety and 
well-being is recognized as a turning point in the war in the Pacific. 
Their skill, valor, and selflessness boosted the morale of our Nation's 
military while causing the Japanese offensive pause as they moved 
resources to defend their own nation. This morale boost helped fuel the 
growing American offensive, ultimately leading to the United States 
victory in the Pacific.
   Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, it gives me 
great pride to recognize the Doolittle Tokyo Raiders on their 71st 
anniversary of their remarkable bombing raid on Tokyo during World War 
II. My wife Vicki joins me in thanking all the Doolittle Tokyo Raiders 
and their families for their sacrifice to our Nation.

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