Doolittle Tokyo Raiders final toast

  • Published
  • By Air Force
  • AEDC/PA
ARNOLD AIR FORCE BASE, TENN. --  When the legendary Doolittle Tokyo Raiders' make a final toast to their fallen comrades Saturday, Nov. 9 at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, the world can witness the historic moment.

Although the ceremony is closed to the public, a LIVE feed of the event will be streamed on several websites at 5 p.m. CST - http://www.pentagonchannel.mil/LiveStream.aspx; www.nationalmuseum.af.mil; www.af.mil/live.aspx.

On April 18, 1942, 80 men achieved the unimaginable when they took off from an aircraft carrier on a top secret mission to bomb Japan. Led by Lt. Col. James H. "Jimmy" Doolittle, they came to be known as the Doolittle Tokyo Raiders. Today, just four of the men survive: Lt. Col. Richard E. Cole, co-pilot of Crew No. 1; Lt. Col. Robert L. Hite, co-pilot of Crew No.16; Lt. Col. Edward J. Saylor, engineer-gunner of Crew No. 15; and Staff Sgt. David J. Thatcher, engineer-gunner of Crew No. 7. Cole, Saylor and Thatcher plan to participate on-site and Hite hopes to watch the ceremony from his residence due to health concerns.

Tune in Saturday at 5 p.m. CST to watch this important, and moving, piece of Air Force history.