Jimmy Doolittle's Raid

"The Rest of the Story"

The Rest of the Doolittle Raid Story

Inspired by a sermon by The Rev. Hugh Hall of All Saints Church, The Anglican Episcopal Church, Pensacola, FL.

In April 1942, things looked bleak for the US. The loss of most of the Pacific fleet at Pearl Harbor followed by four more months of loss after loss of allied bases, kept our forces tense, infuriated and eager for revenge. Even President Roosevelt continually pressed the military for a way to strike back at the heart of Japan. He wanted an attack to boost American moral and to retaliate.

The fleet was spotted some 200 miles short of the planned launch point. The simple act of launching Air Forces bombers from a carrier (USS Hornet) was near impossible but having to launch 200 miles earlier than planned further complicated the mission.

The mission went well but the early launch insured that all would be unable to reach China as planned. Fifteen headed for China. One headed for Russia and landed at Vladivostok. They were interned but escaped through Iran fourteen months later. The planes were never returned by The Soviets.

All the rest had to bail out or ditch in the water as their fuel tanks emptied. Two drowned swimming ashore, one was killed in the bail out, four were seriously injured during the ditching, Eight were captured by the Japanese who executed three and let another die of malnutrition. The remaining four captured by the

Herein lies the "Rest of the Story," as Paul Harvey says. This American that saved them was raised in Macon, Georgia, became a Baptist minister and requested China as his missionary post. He had felt this calling since he was a boy of about eleven, Although he was warned that it was very dangerous, he insisted that that was where he was most needed. He got his wish in late 1939. He quickly became fluent in Chinese, mastering both the spoken and written language. When the US entered the War in December 1941, the Japanese ordered the arrest of all American missionaries in China; he went underground, dyed his hair black, and adopted Chinese dress and manners.

When Doolittle arrived safely in Chongqing, he told Colonel Claire Chennault, leader of the Flying Tigers, about the young missionary and his help. Chennault wanted an American for intelligence duties who could speak Chinese and knew the country. Chennault commissioned him as a First Lieutenant, although he said in a book later that he was willing to be put in as a

August 14, 1945, V-J Day was the end of hostilities for America, but China was still in ferment. On August 25, as he was leading a party of Americans, Chinese Nationalists, and Koreans on a mission to reach Allied personnel in a Japanese prison camp, they were stopped by Chinese Communists near Xi'an. He was told to disarm; he refused and was shot and killed; The rest of the party was imprisoned but released a short time later. John Birch was posthumously awarded a Distinguished Service Medal.

You have heard his name many times before but only of the Society that chose his name. They chose his name because he was the first American to lose his life in the Cold War.

He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery

WRONG! See sidebar!

Editor's note: Thank you, Ashley! I am always eager to set the story right. He deserves it!

Just thought you would like to know!

Thank you,

Ashley