The Doolittle Raiders complete their final mission

[nrc]

On Saturday the surviving Doolittle Raiders opened the 1896 cognac that they have saved for this day for over half a century. They had their final reunion and drank a last toast to their departed comrades. They've been toasting at every reunion since the late 1940s using silver goblets engraved with each man's name so that it can be read right right side up or upside down. As each man as passed they've turned his goblet upside down. Now only four remain right side up and they've completed their final mission.

569

http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/doolittle.asp

[dando]

Hard to believe this was in Dayton @ the USAF Museum, and I didn't hear a peep about it until today. :saywhat:

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/surviving-members-wwii-doolittle-raid-meet-time-article-1.1511754

:thumbup: :thumbup:

[Elmo T]

:thumbup::thumbup:

I missed the live stream, but video will be going up on the museum's site later.

[nrc]

Today was the 75th anniversary of the Doolittle Raid. They had a special flyover of B-25s at the Airforce Museum which we hoped to make it to but scheduling didn't permit.

At 101 years old, Dayton native Richard E. Cole is now the last surviving Doolittle Raider. God bless them all.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5JFwnSeEZo

[gjc2]

Those guys were heroes in the truest sense, and God has certainly blessed Mr. Cole, with a long life.

[TravelGal]

I've never seen a missing man formation that I didn't cry. :(

[nrc]

The mission is complete. The last of Doolittle's Raiders has passed away at 103.

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/09/obituaries/richard-cole-dead.html