Doolittles Raiders

[protoolman]

All Doolittles Raiders are gone. I was reading about them in old threads. As a kid I read Ted Lawson's book 30 seconds over Tokyo. I also saw where some members here got one of the last Raiders to sign their book. I had kind of a neat thing happen. A couple years ago I read my old copy to a unplaceable foster kid I was working with. He'd never had a father figure in his life. I used the book to introduce him to things a young man should know. Honor, bravery, strength, character, you get it. When I was done I gave him the book to keep.

So I went to eBay and bought the newer edition which has more historical pictures etc. Well mine was actually pre-owned! I paid maybe $6 shipped and when it came it had a letter inscribed to some military friends of Ted Ellen Lawsons. Ellen was the long time Secretary of the Raiders assoc. and she had sent the book out to friends and included the letter and a picture of herself. So I got all that. She died in 2009 and I suspect the book I got was sold by the friends relatives to settle an estate. As Ellen was mentioned a lot in Teds book it's kind of nice having her personal connection written in the front. It's in my bookcase with my Autographed Elmer Keith book and an Autographed Phil Sharpe book.

 

[Wyandot Jim]

That is great.
I also read Ted Lawson's book while I was in high school. I also have another book which was given to me that I gave to my Son. It shows pictures of each crew and autographed by about half of them. It was probably done at one of the early reunions.
While we were at Oshkosh Fly-in we met Dick Cole the last of the living Raiders and Dolittle's Co-pilot. He was being shown around by a friend of ours. Son had his wife send Lawson's book to him so Dick could sign it.

Son, Grandson and me with Dick Cole.

 

[Jeepnik]

The WWII and Korean War vets are almost all gone. Heck, my generation Vietnam vets are starting to get thin on the ground.

The I think about my eldest niece and nephew who went to Iraq and Israel during GWI. They are now both in their 50's. How long before they start to disappear. Or my own kids who were in GWII and are now 38 & 40. And so it goes and always has.

Like the man said, old soldiers just fade away. One last trumpet call and it's done.

 

[protoolman]

That is great.
I also read Ted Lawson's book while I was in high school. I also have another book which was given to me that I gave to my Son. It shows pictures of each crew and autographed by about half of them. It was probably done at one of the early reunions.
While we were at Oshkosh Fly-in we met Dick Cole the last of the living Raiders and Dolittle's Co-pilot. He was being shown around by a friend of ours. Son had his wife send Lawson's book to him so Dick could sign it.

Son, Grandson and me with Dick Cole.
View attachment 64421

What a nice opportunity!

 

[MaxMan]

Great opportunity. The gentleman sitting there is what a hero looks like. No cape no flash just someone who had a job to do. Like so many others who serve.