Smith Announces Ceremony to Honor Doolittle Tokyo Raider

Texas Insider Report: WASHINGTON DC Congressman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) today announced a ceremony to honor local World War II veteran and Doolittle Tokyo Raider Lieutenant Colonel Richard E. Cole of Comfort Texas. Cole is one of just two surviving members of the Doolittle Tokyo Raiders.

Congressman Smith: As one of just two surviving Doolittle Tokyo Raiders Lieutenant Colonel Richard E. Cole is both a local and a national treasure. The bravery of these men provided an American victory at a crucial time following the devastating attack on Pearl Harbor. With this volunteer mission the Doolittle Raiders left a distinct mark on our nation and the worlds history. Lieutenant Colonel Cole was unable to participate in the Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony for the Doolittle Tokyo Raiders that took place in Washington D.C. earlier this year. The ceremony on June 19^th presents an opportunity for the local community to honor Lieutenant Colonel Cole and the proud legacy of the Doolittle Tokyo Raiders."

Following the bombing of Pearl Harbor in December 1941 Lieutenant Colonel James Harold Jimmy" Doolittle was tasked by President Franklin Roosevelt with the mission to bomb Japan in retaliation and as a means to boost American morale. The successful mission known as the Doolittle Tokyo Raid took place on 18 April 1942 as an all-volunteer effort involving 80 men and sixteen B-25B bombers that struck military targets in Japan before fleeing to China and the Soviet Union. Fourteen crews except for one crewman returned to the United States or to American forces. Lieutenant Colonel Richard E. Cole graduated from Steele High School in Dayton Ohio and completed two years college at Ohio University before enlisting in the Army Air Corps in November 1940. He completed pilot training and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in July 1941. He participated in the Doolittle Raid as Lieutenant Colonel Doolittles co-pilot in aircraft #1. He remained in China-Burma-India after the Tokyo Raid until June 1943 and served again in the China-Burma-India Theater from October 1943 until June 1944.  Cole now resides with family in Comfort Texas.  He is one of just two living Doolittle Tokyo Raiders.