Eric Queen Posted April 18, 2019 Share #1 Posted April 18, 2019 Sixteen (16) B25 aircraft began taking off from the deck of the USS Hornet. Plane number one (1) with Doolittle as pilot and Dick Cole as co-pilot took off first at 08:20 am. Due to being spotted by a Japanese ship they were forced to take off 4 hours (and 170 nautical miles) ahead of schedule. Plane number one lead the way with H.A.P. as the navigator. Here he is as a young Lt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Queen Posted April 18, 2019 Author Share #2 Posted April 18, 2019 On leave before the mission with Dick Cole (at Dick Cole's house in Ohio) As most people know, Dick Cole was the last surviving Raider and just recently passed away at 103 years old. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Queen Posted April 18, 2019 Author Share #3 Posted April 18, 2019 Another photo I believe taken at the same time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Queen Posted April 18, 2019 Author Share #4 Posted April 18, 2019 The actual A2 which he wore on the mission. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Queen Posted April 18, 2019 Author Share #5 Posted April 18, 2019 Close up Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Queen Posted April 18, 2019 Author Share #6 Posted April 18, 2019 In China with Doolittle wearing the jacket. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Queen Posted April 18, 2019 Author Share #7 Posted April 18, 2019 Another photo of him wearing the jacket in China Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Queen Posted April 18, 2019 Author Share #8 Posted April 18, 2019 ID card he most likely had with him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Queen Posted April 18, 2019 Author Share #9 Posted April 18, 2019 Check signed by him to the wardroom of the USS Hornet on April 15 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Queen Posted April 18, 2019 Author Share #10 Posted April 18, 2019 Original letter given to all the Raiders from Madame Chiang Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manayunkman Posted April 18, 2019 Share #11 Posted April 18, 2019 I wonder why in post 6 several of them are missing their shoes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Queen Posted April 18, 2019 Author Share #12 Posted April 18, 2019 In China 5 days after the mission Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Queen Posted April 18, 2019 Author Share #13 Posted April 18, 2019 Receiving the Army, Navy and Air Force medal from Madame Chiang Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Queen Posted April 18, 2019 Author Share #14 Posted April 18, 2019 Large banner (about 50 inches long) welcoming the American Pilots. Dated and signed by local dignitaries. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Queen Posted April 18, 2019 Author Share #15 Posted April 18, 2019 Including Doolittle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Queen Posted April 18, 2019 Author Share #16 Posted April 18, 2019 The first letter he was allowed to write to his parents after the mission telling them he was OK. I am guessing that all the Raiders wrote exactly the same thing (were told what to write) for security reasons. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Queen Posted April 18, 2019 Author Share #17 Posted April 18, 2019 Have to get ready for work. Will show more tonight or tomorrow if any interest. Haven't shown the best piece yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trenchbuff Posted April 18, 2019 Share #18 Posted April 18, 2019 Amazing Eric! An honor to see this group. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allan H. Posted April 18, 2019 Share #19 Posted April 18, 2019 Eric, The depth of quality of your collection is amazing! Thank you for the outstanding photos and commentary on the pieces that you've shown. This is simply one of the finest groupings that I have ever had the honor of viewing here on the forum. I cannot wait to see the "best part" of this outstanding group. Manayunkman, I would assume that the reason that the airmen in the photo in post #6 are in their stocking feet is that they were all inside a home when the suggestion was made to go have a photo taken. It was customary in China, Japan and other Oriental countries to remove your shoes before entering a person's home. Of course the is speculation, but I wouldn't expect that their shoes had been taken from them. Allan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted April 18, 2019 Share #20 Posted April 18, 2019 I wonder why in post 6 several of them are missing their shoes. Looks like they are wearing slippers. Eric- Fabulous group. I loved seeing this. Kurt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doyler Posted April 18, 2019 Share #21 Posted April 18, 2019 Eric. Fantastic group.Thanks for sharing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wharfmaster Posted April 18, 2019 Share #22 Posted April 18, 2019 Great group indeed. Bless Jimmy and Raiders all. Rest in peace. Wharf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USMCR79 Posted April 18, 2019 Share #23 Posted April 18, 2019 Eric - My Father In Law who passed away a few weeks ago was stationed at Patrick AFB in the early 1950's and P0tter was his Boss - My Father in Law said he was a great guy and even extended my Father In Laws enlistment by 2 weeks so that my wife would be born at the Base Hospital (At 0 cost) vs a Civilian Hospital. I have his signed order somewhere in our family papers. He would have enjoyed your presentation Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USdog Posted April 18, 2019 Share #24 Posted April 18, 2019 Wow this is fantastic. Thanks for sharing! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kurt Barickman Posted April 18, 2019 Share #25 Posted April 18, 2019 Yes, very historic and impressive. Thanks much for sharing such a fabulous grouping here. Kurt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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