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The Doolittle Tokyo Raiders Commemorative 50th Anniversary Limited Edition Print Signed and Numbered (#585/1000) by 14 Raiders Including General Jimmy Doolittle 
James H. "Jimmy" Doolittle (1896-1993). Aviator and World War II Hero in the Army Air Corps. Historic Print Signed, being a limited edition print (#585/1000), signed by Doolittle and thirteen other "Raiders", and the artist Robert Taylor, across the lower margin; measures 37.75 in. by 27.25 in., n.p., n.d., (but approximately 1991). On 18 April 1942, just four months after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, 16 Army Air Force B-25 Mitchell medium bombers made a daring aerial raid on Tokyo. It was the first American strike at the heart of Imperial Japan and greatly alarmed the enemy who had thought the homeland safe from enemy air attack. Launching from the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Hornet, in heavy seas, knowing they had insufficient fuel to return, Lieutenant Colonel James H. Doolittle led his strike force 800 miles over water to bomb Tokyo and other industrial centers before flying on to crash-land in China. Nine aircraft were attacked by enemy aircraft, all 16 reached their target, all but one aircraft were lost. Most of the crews survived to fly and fight again later in the war; Lt. Col. Doolittle was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his part in one of the most audacious raids in aviation history. Doolitte went on to command the 12th Air Force during the North Africa campaign (1942-43), the 15th Air Force in Italy (1943), and the 8th Air Force during the intensive bombing offensive against Germany (1944-45). The most important effect of the Doolittle Raid was to influence the Japanese High Command to attempt to expand its perimeter in the central and southern Pacific, with disastrous results. Commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Tokyo raid, artist Robert Taylor has re-created the dramatic scene with an expansive canvas capturing the moment as Lt. Col. Doolittle makes a compass-checking run over the U.S. S. Hornet. The second B-25 has just launched from the heaving carrier, with the remaining 14 aircraft ranged back along the deck, awaiting their turn to fly off into history. Seen in his majestic panorama of air and sea power are the ships of Halsey's Enterprise Task Force, completing a masterful work of art by the master of aviation and marine art, Robert Taylor. The Signees: General James Doolittle
One of the great heroes of the 20th Century. After Pearl Harbor he masterminded and trained his ffimous Tokyo Raiders for the strike back against the Japanese. He led this historic mission and won the Congressional Medal of Honor. Later as a General he had an illustrious career commanding the air war over Italy and North Africa before taking charge of the U.S. Eighth Air Force in Europe.
Pilot: His aircraft attacked Yokuska Yokohama auto-factory. Bailed out over China and rescued by Chinese guerilla forces, eventually escaping to India. After the raid he flew with 310 Group and 57 Bomb Wing.
Lieutenant Colonel Richard Cole
Co-Pilot: Attacked Tokyo and parachuted out over China. Friendly Nationalist troops helped him to evade the enemy. Remaining in China, he flew bombing and transport missions over the Hump.
Staff Sgt. Rev. Jacob DeShazer
Bombardier: Bombed the Nagoya fuel-tank factory. Bailed out near Shanghai and taken prisoner by the Japanese. Held in terrible conditions for three and a half years. Of eight Raiders taken P.O.W., only four lived to return to the U.S.
Colonel Robert G. Emmens
Co-Pilot: Bombed the steel mills of north Tokyo. Crash landed near Vladivostok, U.S.S.R. and interned by the Russians for over a year before escaping via Iran with British help back to the U.S.
Major Thomas C. Griffin
Navigator: His aircraft attacked factories on Tokyo Bay. Bailing out over China he was temporarily held by the Nationalist Chinese Army before being released. Later he flew B-26s until shot down over North Africa. P.O.W. of the Germans until May 1945.
Brigadier General Everett W. Holstrom
Pilot: After meeting stiff resistance from Japanese fighter aircraft, he parachuted from his damaged aircraft south west of Shingshi, China. Rescued by Chinese guerrillas. He later flew and commanded B-47s, B-52s and the first supersonic bomber -- B-58.
Colonel Travis Hoover
Pilot of No. 2 aircraft, first off the deck following General Doolittle, attacked military targets in Tokyo. Crash landed in China and rescued by a young Chinese engineer. After a long trip back to the U.S.A., he later commanded a squadron of B-52s, before transferring to P-38 fighters.
Major General David M. Jones
Pilot: Bombed Tokyo waterfront before bailing out over Chusien Province, China. By July 1942 he had evaded the enemy to escape back to & U.S. Later shot down over Germany flying B-26s and held as a P.O.W. until April 1945.
Brigadier General Richard A. Knobloch
Co-Pilot: Attacked Yokosuka Naval Base. Wed out and landed in a Chinese paddy field, and rescued by Chinese guerillas. He flew a further 55 missions from Burma and friendly China.
Colonel Henry A. Potter
Navigator on General Doolittle's aircraft, they attacked Tokyo before parachuting out over China. The crew were helped to escape back to the U.S. by Chinese guerillas.
Major Howard A. Sessler
Navigator and Bombardier: After bombing Kobe he ditched in the sea off China. Guided back to freedom by friendly Chinese fighters. He later flew 103 missions on B-25s.
Captain J. Royden Stork
Co-Pilot on a B-25 that attacked the base at Heneda river. Bailed out over China and with help from Chinese allies, escaped to India where he flew missions with the 10th Air Force.
Major Griffith P. Williams
Co-Pilot on Don Smith's aircraft which attacked Kobe. Crash landing in the sea off China he was escorted by resistance fighters, eventually escaping back to the U.S.; subsequently served in England and North Africa.
