CINCINNATI — More than seven decades after an audacious bombing run by the “Doolittle Tokyo Raiders” rallied their own nation while stunning another, the World War II heroes are still adding to their legacy.
The group will receive the Congressional Gold Medal on April 15 in Washington, then present it on April 18 — the 73rd anniversary of the raid — to the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. The gold medal will go on display at the museum near Dayton, Ohio, joining an exhibit depicting the launch from an aircraft carrier of the Raiders’ daring 1942 attack on Japan.
The only two surviving Raiders — retired Lt. Col. Richard “Dick” Cole and Staff Sgt. David Thatcher — plan to attend the museum ceremony. A third Doolittle Raider, Lt. Col. Robert Hite, 95, died Sunday in Nashville, Tenn. Relatives of the 80 Raiders also are expected to attend the weekend of events.
