The Last Doolittle Raider

[TXBryan]

In remembrance of yesterday's anniversary of the remarkable Doolittle Raid. You never know when you may be in the presence of greatness. About ten years ago my son and I attended an event near Waco, TX at a friend's ranch. He introduced me to Lt. Col., Richard Cole, Retired. Richard Cole was Jimmy Doolittle's co-pilot on plane number one.

Col. Cole was one of the last four Raiders when this picture was taken, eventually the last, and passed away in San Antonio at the age of 103 five years ago. He remained in the Air Force until 1966.

I don't think I've ever been in the presence of anyone that awed me like meeting Dick Cole. To be able to talk to him, get a picture with my son, and breath the same air as him for a little while was one of my most profound experiences. He was unassuming, modest, and a real gentleman. This photo is one of my son's most prized possessions - and mine.

 

[sceva]

The Doolittle Goblets display at the Air Force Museum in Riverside, Ohio is a must see. (Along with the rest of the Museum)

A Raider's Toast: The Doolittle Raiders' Goblets > National Museum of the United States Air Force™ > Display

Doolittle Raid > National Museum of the United States Air Force™ > Display

 

[THE PILGRIM]

After the Raid, My FIL met Jimmy Doolittle over in West Africa.
Jimmy was going West headed back to the States.

 

[Magnum_PI]

May he Rest in Peace.

We're losing some great heroes of our time.

I've had the pleasure of meeting many older vets, including some who were on Iwo. It's amazing the humbleness of these men, the work they did, and the burdens they must have carried for a lifetime, but didn't show it.

Not so many heroes or tough guys around these days. Sadly.

I'd like to trade bringing back generations past for all the useless and soulless "influencers", internet hacks, and phony celebrities we are stuck with today...

 

[CH4]

A cherished occasion for sure. Thanks for sharing.
I remember meeting Pappy Boyington at a small airshow in 1986 - the Swift Fly In at Westover Field in Jackson, CA. Very humble and unassuming, unlike Robert Conrad, whom I'd met a few times. Got to chat with him uninterrupted for better than an hour. Being a fan of the Black Sheep series, I had a lot of questions; he happily answered all of them. His van was adorned with CMH license plates. Indeed, an awe-inspiring experience.

 

[llowry61]

Nice picture and memory. Those guys were in the rarified air level of heroes in my book. They had a dinner here in Columbus Ohio many years ago, back in the 80's I believe. They really were the greatest generation. They did what they had to do so we can live the way we do. It is a shame how poorly society is treating those liberties and freedoms these men risked their live for.

 

[Rudi]

A great photo. The Doolittle raid was a milestone in WWII. Men with really big brass ones.

 

[llowry61]

A great photo. The Doolittle raid was a milestone in WWII. Men with really big brass ones.

I agree but big brass ones is still an understatement. Taking bombers off aircraft carriers knowing you haven't got armament to protect yourself and not enough fuel but you still go for the cause. That is commitment and they were 100% volunteer !

 

[SMSgt]

Met Cole and two other Raiders at a function nearby year ago. All three were near deaf, an effect of flying the noisy B-25s. When they could hear the questions, their answers were in great detail. Cole had the best (?) hearing of the three, so he did the majority of the talking. Brave men all.

 

[Hair Trigger]

I got to meet Lt. Col. Cole at Oshkosh in 2014, after listening to him talk about the raid to several hundred people, while he sat in a lounge chair under the wing of a B-25. He was a genteel man, very friendly and answered many questions from the audience.