[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 4]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 5575]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING THE ``DOOLITTLE TOKYO RAIDERS''

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JIM COOPER

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 18, 2013

  Mr. COOPER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Doolittle Tokyo 
Raiders, a group of 80 Americans who claimed their place in history on 
April 18, 1942, when they carried out the first U.S. air raid on 
Japanese Home Islands during World War II. I am proud to share their 
story here today, and I am especially proud to represent one of the 
four living raiders, Nashvillian LTC Robert Hite.
  Though not originally from the Volunteer State, LTC Robert Hite and 
his 79 fellow raiders epitomized the Volunteer spirit when they signed 
up for their death-defying mission. Their goals were to break the air 
of invincibility radiated by Japanese forces as they extended their 
reach across the Pacific Ocean and to give Americans the win they 
needed after the dark months following the attack on Pearl Harbor. The 
United States needed something dramatic to turn the tide of the war. 
The Doolittle Raiders delivered.
  They launched from an aircraft carrier, knowing they would not have 
enough fuel to return. They displayed uncommon valor and patriotism, 
and inspired Americans both abroad and at home. Their courageous flight 
proved that Japan was vulnerable to attack, changing the course of the 
war--and of history.
  Please join me in honoring these extraordinary gentlemen and true 
American heroes.

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