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An American Hero Passes

An American Hero Passes

U.S. Army Air Corps Lieutenant Dick Cole’s passing Tuesday, April 9th, raised barely a ripple of interest. But Lt. Cole was a genuine American hero. Today’s youth display scant knowledge, interest or patience with the history of the blood that has been shed to raise them to their current sheltered existence, of which they do much complaining. It is men and women of such courage and dedication to freedom that has assured them that privilege.

Lt. Cole was the last surviving member of an elite group of 80 Airmen who, in one of our country’s darkest hours, gave it hope that by courage and dedication, America and our allies would prevail against the axis forces. Under the command of Colonel James Doolittle, this small band struck the first American offensive blow of the war against Japan, shocking that nation and its leaders to know that America had just begun to fight.

Japanese commanders were humiliated, confused and confounded because they had no idea from where the aircraft had launched the attack. The B-25 medium bomber required 1000-2000 feet minimum of runway to take off. They paused offensive planning and refocused on Midway Island which became a pivotal battle and turning point in the Pacific War.=

Of course, the Doolittle Raiders had been launched from the aircraft carrier USS Hornet in an amazing feat of cooperation between the Navy and Air Corps, a feat that was thought impossible by most everyone except Jimmy Doolittle. His all-volunteer unit had been training and practicing short-runway take-offs without knowing what they were going to be asked to do. When they boarded the Hornet, watching their aircraft being swung aboard they assumed they would be off-loaded elsewhere. Once at sea, Doolittle finally told them the plan. He gave every man a chance, no repercussions, to back out of what seemed like a near-suicide mission. The plan was to get close enough to Japan so that they could make their bombing runs, fly straight on to mainland China to land at a Chinese airstrip. Unfortunately, the small fleet ran across a Japanese fishing trawler. Afraid that the boat had radioed Tokyo of their presence, it was determined that the raid had to be launched immediately – 200 miles farther away from their target than planned. It was almost a guarantee that fuel would not last long enough to reach the safety of the Chinese army lines. Again, every man was given the chance to back out, with no stigma attached. Again, every man stood fast. To make matters worse, the fleet was in storm conditions, the bow of the Hornet dipping so deep that water was spraying over the end of the flight deck. The navy launch officer had to time every dip just right. The pilots would run their engines up to top speed while standing on the brakes, then release and hope the timing was immaculate – which it was for all 16 aircraft. No power assisted take-off was available in those days – just the guts and skill of the pilots and navy personnel.

Though it did little damage, the bombing and strafing of Japan by 16 American aircraft was a scandal that shook the confidence of the Japanese people and their leaders. 15 of the aircraft crashed, 3 men were killed in action, 8 were captured, 3 were executed and one died in captivity. One crew landed in Russia and was quarantined there. The rest miraculously survived after parachuting from aircraft flying on fumes, were rounded up by Chinese nationalist troops and civilians and taken to safety.

The Doolittle Raid is an iconic example of bravery of which all Americans, and especially the youth of our country, should be aware. That the last surviving member of that heroic band of men would pass with so little notice is tragic. How can we expect young Americans to fully appreciate what they have inherited if they do not know, or understand, what has been sacrificed for them.

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Comments

Barr S. Zehnder Sr. - April 14, 2020

SEMPER FI Graduated HIgh School on a Wednesday night and was in Parris Island early on Saturday morning. I have never regretted one minute of my 6 years in the Corps and I’m very proud to have served. It is a shame that so little was made of Lt Cole’s heroics, but I’am very sure he was always aware of his heroics and God bless him. He was a hero among so many hero’s iof that time..

Cpl. Chuck P. usmc Viet Nam 69-70 - April 14, 2020

Hi Bill, I tried to find the correct link to read the citation of Sgt. Stokes, but was unable to get it. If you read this, can you direct me to where to find it. Tks. much I am not a very good candidate for a job on the geek squad, but can generally find my way around the internet. I was personally awarded the Navy Achievement medal w/ “V”. and to this day still wonder what I did to deserve it other than what I was trained to do!! However, the Marines that received a S. Star in Nam were in a different league for sure!!Me & my brother served at the same time in 69-70 in !st. Mar. Div.and spent x-mas of 69 @ in country r&r @ China beach. He was with 7th. Marines, on 81 mortars and I was a gunner on 175 mm. guns with 11th. Marines. Fortunately we both came home as cpl. e-4 and w/o any injuries HOO-RAH…Semper Fi to all of our “brothers”!!

Cpl Flores T. USMC - April 14, 2020

Well said cpl, this story started because of the passing of Lt Cole and his heroic crew but these liberal snowflakes have to make it political. RIP Lt Cole

Billy Myers - April 14, 2020

Alvin Stokes earned the Silver Star medal as a 19 year old Lance Corporal serving with A Company, 3rd Recon in 1966.

Mic Sus - April 14, 2020

Thank you, Jim Barber, for a very good article on the Doolittle Raid, and thank you to all of you for your heartfelt comments. I wish to especially thank all of you who have served our country to ensure our freedom, which I will never take for granted.

Steve Jensen USMC - April 14, 2020

Robert Grant was a left wing gunner on one of the bombers that flew missions over Japan. Their bomber was shot down over Nagata Japan. I knew Bob pretty well and we would talk a lot but he never really told me all of what happened. He did keep me informed about a book that was being written about himself and the rest of the crew. The captain of the bomber was a man named Jordon so they were called the Jordon crew. I won’t go into detail about all that happened but if you want to know the full story the book about the Jordon crew was published several years ago. The book is “Field of Spears” I found it on Amazon. The story about the Jordon crew is quite interesting and when it is about someone that I knew personally it is something else. We lost Bob several years ago. Unfortunately we have lost most of our heroes from the second World War. I am sure there were a lot more stories that were never told and the men took those stories to their graves.

Nick - April 14, 2020

Still amazed at how a great story can morph into something as down low like POLITICS! With that said, Most of us are old enough to know that ALL of our Government servants, no matter what political party, have in common “They Lie!” Democrats lie, Republicans lie,All of our presidents lied to us, and still lie. Vietnam started with a lie, The Iraq war started because of a lie.The lies never end.Lets be honest there is no truth in politics! It is just like religion it is “What you choose to believe as the truth” Never trust the government and keep it “Small” I have too much of the government trying to tell me what to do. Nick

Jim Barber - April 14, 2020

There’s no doubt that today’s grunts are just as gutsy and motivated as past generations. However, Sally, less than one percent of our population is serving. That recruiters are having a hard time filling those slots is a combination of unfitness and unwillingness to voluntarily serve. Unfortunately, those patriotically enough to volunteer get worn out by repeated re-deployments and the odds against them rising with each one. If Congress had the guts they would bring back the draft, with physical disability the only deferment, and maintain a decent reserve. I can’t give enough praise to those young men and women who have stood front and center so the rest of us can twilight-out on our cell phones at the mall.

Bill Parker Corp 66-68 - April 14, 2020

If you doubt “today’s youth”, volunteer for some sessions at a USO. I did and was highly impressed.

Alvin Stokes - April 14, 2020

SEMPER FI, Cpl. Chuck.. and I truly thank you for your dedication to our country. Reference, the first round, I’m not old enough to drink, but thanks. LOL… I was a non drinker and non smoker going in and I was that going out. Goggle my name, Medal of Valor, Silver Star. Marine, I still get emotional sharing this information.

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