[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 54 (Wednesday, April 15, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E508-E509]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING THE DOOLITTLE RAIDERS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. J. FRENCH HILL

                              of arkansas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 15, 2015

  Mr. HILL. Mr. Speaker, following the December 7, 1941, attack of the 
U.S. Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor on Oahu, President Roosevelt sought 
and received from Congress authorization to declare war on Japan. In 
January 1942, Lieutenant Colonel James H. ``Jimmy'' Doolittle was 
selected to lead a top-secret retaliation attack on Japan. With just 
three weeks of special ``short field takeoff'' training, Doolittle's 
men set sail toward Japan aboard the USS Hornet.
   On April 18, 1942, the Hornet was sighted by a Japanese ship and the 
Doolittle Raiders, as they would come to be known, set off on their 
mission--twelve hours early and some 150 miles from their planned 
launch position. Within one hour, these 80 volunteers, aboard 16 B-25 
bombers, took off in the first U.S. air raid on Japan in World War II. 
The air raid resulted in the bombing of multiple military and 
industrial targets in Tokyo and other Japanese cities. Their mission a 
success, the crews headed for their rendezvous point in China.
   Flying on fumes and facing poor weather, one plane diverted to 
Russia, and the fifteen others were forced to crash land. With the aid 
of Chinese civilians, most of these brave men reached safety, but not 
all of our famous flyers made it home. Three of the raiders were killed 
in action; and, of the eight that were captured, three were executed 
and one died in captivity. Their sacrifice and the success of this 
mission served as an essential boost to American morale, and the 
exploits of the Doolittle Raiders marked a critical turning point in 
the war in the Pacific.
   Following their daring drama over Japan, the Doolittle Raiders 
spread out across the nation and globe. Some continued in the military, 
enjoying long careers into retirement. Others gave their lives in later 
service to their country, while still others rejoined civilian life as 
doctors, teachers, businessmen--serving their communities in every 
capacity.
   Earlier this year, we lost two of the surviving Raiders, LTC Edward 
Saylor, and LTC Robert Hite. LTC Hite was one of the brave souls

[[Page E509]]

who escaped Japanese captivity, and he also was a resident of my home 
state of Arkansas. Now, from the band of 80 young flyers 73 Aprils ago, 
only two living Raiders remain: Staff Sergeant David Thatcher and LTC 
Richard Cole. Retired LTC Cole served as copilot to LTC Doolittle 
aboard aircraft number one, and he, along with the other Raiders, was 
awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. Retired Staff Sergeant David J. 
Thatcher served as the engineer-gunner to crew number seven, whose 
plane the ``Ruptured Duck,'' crashed just off the shores of the Chinese 
mainland. Sergeant Thatcher was awarded the Silver Star in 1942 for his 
bravery in caring for his injured crew members.
   Earlier today, Congress conferred the Congressional Gold Medal on 
the Doolittle Raiders for their undeniable valor and sacrifice. These 
airmen and their extraordinary ``30 Seconds over Tokyo'' will never be 
forgotten. I am humbled to rise today to recognize these ordinary 
Americans that stepped up to attempt an exceptional mission. Col. 
Doolittle and his Raiders will fly forever in our hearts and minds as 
the best of American values of Duty, Honor, and Country. May God bless 
their memory and example to us all.

                          ____________________