We are greatly saddened to report; that the last Doolittle Raider has flown West...
Richard E. Cole USAF (September 7, 1915 - April 9, 2019) served as co-pilot with Jimmy Doolittle in the lead plane of the raid. On April 18, 1942, Doolittle and his B-25 crew took off from the Hornet, reached Japan, bombed their target, then headed for their recovery airfield in China, only to run their fuel tanks dry at 12 hours into the mission, at night, in stormy weather over mainland China. Doolittle and his crew, including Richard Cole bailed out safely over China.
Richard E Cole, the last surviving member of the Doolittle Raiders flew West today, at the age of 103
[B] Against ALL enemies, foreign and DOMESTIC
April 09, 2019, 11:25 AM
sigmonkey
Godspeed, Sir.
"the meaning of life, is to give life meaning" ✡ Ani Yehudi אני יהודי Le'olam lo shuv לעולם לא שוב!
"Blessed is he who when facing his own demise, thinks only of his front sight.”
Malo periculosam, libertatem quam quietam servitutem
Montani Semper Liberi
April 09, 2019, 11:43 AM
phxtoad
Eternal clear skies and tail winds, Sir!
phxtoad
"Careful man, there's a beverage here!"
April 09, 2019, 12:03 PM
BBMW
Googled him to see what happened to him after the raid. He had a very long career in the AF, until the 60's.
April 09, 2019, 12:08 PM
mrapteam666
RIP Thank you for your service.
That is just an awesome picture especially from the angle it was taken.
April 09, 2019, 12:29 PM
M-11
May you forever fly with your comrades.
"Common sense is wisdom with its sleeves rolled up." -Kyle Farnsworth "Freedom of Speech does not guarantee freedom from consequences." -Mike Rowe "Democracies aren't overthrown, they're given away." -George Lucas
April 09, 2019, 12:37 PM
zoom6zoom
I have my own style of humor. I call it Snarkasm.
April 09, 2019, 12:46 PM
sjtill
Thanks for posting, Greg. Dusty here.
_________________________ “Remember, remember the fifth of November!"
April 09, 2019, 12:58 PM
darthfuster
God bless them. God bless them all.
You’re a lying dog-faced pony soldier
April 09, 2019, 01:22 PM
BamaJeepster
It's really hard for us to imagine the courage it took to fly that mission and also the huge effect it had on morale for the United States public at that time. Things were not looking so good - our forces were being overrun everywhere. With 20/20 hindsight it's really hard to understand the real anxiety and doubt over how things would turn out at that stage of the war. These men provided a much needed jolt. Godspeed.
Crew No. 1 in front of B-25#40-2344 on the deck of Hornet, 18 April 1942. From left to right: (front row) Lt. Col. Doolittle, pilot; Lt. Richard E. Cole, copilot; (back row) Lt. Henry A. Potter, navigator; SSgt. Fred A. Braemer, bombardier; SSgt. Paul J. Leonard, flight engineer/gunner.
“Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passions, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence.” - John Adams
April 09, 2019, 01:33 PM
Ryanp225
Everyone should honor his memory by teaching our children what they did and why.
April 09, 2019, 02:37 PM
newtoSig765
Although inevitable, this hit me hard, being the absolute end of an era.
I read an article from AF Times that said Cole was stationed in Columbia, SC when a notice on the bulletin board asked for volunteers for a secret and dangerous mission. His entire Group signed up!
-------------------------- Every normal man must be tempted, at times, to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats. -- H L Mencken
I always prefer reality when I can figure out what it is. -- JALLEN 10/18/18
April 09, 2019, 03:13 PM
Ryanp225
quote:
Originally posted by newtoSig765: Although inevitable, this hit me hard, being the absolute end of an era.
Me too. Like a punch to the gut.
April 09, 2019, 07:00 PM
P-220
So very sad. R.I.P. Sir!!!!!!
Niech Zyje P-220
Steve
April 09, 2019, 07:11 PM
YooperSigs
I cant help but feel we are diminished as a country and society when men such as these pass on. R.I.P.
End of Earth: 2 Miles Upper Peninsula: 4 Miles
April 09, 2019, 07:14 PM
bigwagon
The real miracle of the Doolittle Raid is how those planes got airborne with 10 tons of brass balls on board.
April 09, 2019, 07:14 PM
Bytes
I watched this documentary after reading this thread. Those guys had BIG balls.
April 09, 2019, 07:51 PM
sig229-SAS
What a fabulous generation these men lived in. Simply pure guts and determination helped win the war, I'm proud to have served in the military preceded by men like this.
RIP in pease sir, we've got it now.
April 09, 2019, 11:17 PM
911Boss
A few years back I had the distinct pleasure to listen to one of the Raider’s, Ed Saylor, talk about his experience at an air show. I believe it may have been his last public appearance as he passed away about 6 months later.
Words like “Fascinating” and “Mesmerizing” doesn’t even begin to describe it. The word “Hero” is tossed about so freely these days that it really cheapens it. These men and others like them are true heros. We could use some more like them to bring this country together in these times.
Sad to see what was inevitable happen, I think I will read a few of the books about the raid in tribute.
What part of "...Shall not be infringed" don't you understand???
