Target Tokyo: Jimmy Doolittle and the Raid That Avenged Pearl Harbor (98 page)

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Authors: James M. Scott

Tags: #Pulitzer Prize Finalist 2016 HISTORY, #History, #Americas, #United States, #Asia, #Japan, #Military, #Aviation, #World War II, #20th Century

BOOK: Target Tokyo: Jimmy Doolittle and the Raid That Avenged Pearl Harbor
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354
 “endeavor to avoid”: War Department, Office of Assistant Chief of Staff, G-2, May 3, 1942, ibid.

354
 “Whatever steps”: War Department, Office of Assistant Chief of Staff, G-2, May 16, 1942, ibid.

354
 “If the United States sees”: War Department, Office of Assistant Chief of Staff, G-2, May 19, 1942, ibid.

354
 “Since the other planes”: Ibid.

354
 “I advise that we discard”: War Department, Office of Assistant Chief of Staff, G-2, May 20, 1942, ibid.

354
 Guards at the dacha: Background on York and his crew comes from Emmens,
Guests of the Kremlin
, pp. 59–72; Emmens oral history interview with Hasdorff, July 8–9, 1982; York oral history interview with Hasdorff, July 23, 1984; “Interview with B-25 Crew That Bombed Tokyo and Was Interned by the Russians,” transcript, June 3, 1943; Pohl as told to Dwiggins, “We Crash Landed in Russia—and Escaped,” pp. 56–57.

355
 “It didn’t take us long”: Emmens oral history interview with Hasdorff, July 8–9, 1982.

355
 “The children”: Emmens,
Guests of the Kremlin
, p. 63.

355
 “One of the children”: Ibid., pp. 63–64.

355
 “I think your people”: Ibid., p. 66.

356
 “We shined our brass”: Ibid., p. 67.

356
 “Not one word”: Emmens oral history interview with Hasdorff, July 8–9, 1982.

356
 “The same sad”: Emmens,
Guests of the Kremlin
, p. 70.

356
 “Well, here we are!” This exchange is ibid., p. 72.

CHAPTER 21

357
 “As parents of one”:, Mr. and Mrs. E. H. Miller telegram to James H. Doolittle, May 20, 1942, Box 22, DPLOC.

357
 Doolittle arrived back: Doolittle,
I Could Never Be So Lucky Again
, pp. 283–88.

358
 “With the 15 planes”: H. H. Arnold to Franklin Roosevelt, Raid on Tokyo, May 3, 1942, Microfilm Roll #A1250, AFHRA.

358
 “Jim”: This exchange comes from Doolittle,
I Could Never Be So Lucky Again
, p. 287.

358
 “was successful far beyond”: George Marshall to William Harm, Nov. 4, 1942, in Larry I. Bland, ed.,
The Papers of George Catlett Marshall
, vol. 3,
“The Right Man for the Job,” December 7, 1941–May 31, 1943
(Baltimore, Md.: Johns Hopkins University Press, 1991), p. 425.

358
 “It will be necessary”: Memorandum for General Arnold, May 12, 1942, ibid. p. 197.

358
 “General, that award”: This exchange comes from Doolittle,
I Could Never Be So Lucky Again
, p. 287.

358
 “This was the only time”: Ibid.

359
 The officers arrived: Details of the Medal of Honor ceremony are drawn from the following sources: Doolittle,
I Could Never Be So Lucky Again
, pp. 287–88; W. H. Lawrence, “Airman Decorated,”
New York Times
, May 20, 1942, p. 1; “Tells How U.S. Bombed Japan without a Loss,”
Chicago Daily Tribune
, May 20, 1942, p. 1; “Raid Leader’s Success No Surprise to His Wife,”
New York Times
, May 22, 1942, p. 25.

359
 “Brigadier General James H. Doolittle”: W. H. Lawrence, “Airman Decorated,”
New York Times
, May 20, 1942, p. 1.

359
 The War Department handed: Press Release, “Congressional Medal of Honor Awarded to Leader of Tokyo Raid,” May 19, 1942, Box 22, DPLOC; Press Release, “Statement by Brigadier General James H. Doolittle Regarding Bombing Raid Led by Him on Japan,” May 19, 1942, Box 23, DPLOC.

359
 “No group of men”: Press Release, “Radio Talk by Brigadier General James H. Doolittle,” May 20, 1942, Box 1, Series XI, DTRAP.

360
 “We flew low enough”: This exchange comes from Lawrence, “Airman Decorated,” p. 1.

360
 “I was able to run away”: Ibid.

360
 “Are you going”: This exchange comes from “N.E. Men in Tokio Raid,”
Daily Boston Globe
, May 20, 1942, p. 1.

360
 “Why”: “Shock from Tokyo,”
Newsweek
, May 3, 1943, p. 22.

360
 “No planes were left in Japan”: John G. Norris, “Bombs Dropped within Sight of Imperial Palace, Hero Discloses,”
Washington Post
, May 20, 1942, p. 1.

360
 “The Japanese do not have”: Richard L. Turner, “Leader of Recent Air Raid on Japan Revealed at White House Medal Presentation,”
Schenectady Gazette
, May 20, 1942, p. 1.

360
 “I’m too thrilled to speak”: Ibid.

360
 “Doolittle emphasized”: “Tells How U.S. Bombed Japan without a Loss,”
Chicago Daily Tribune
, May 20, 1942, p. 1.

361
 “His Life Story”: Bob Considine, “His Life Story Reads like a Thriller, but with Perfect Timing,”
Washington Post
, May 20, 1942, p. 1.

361
 “Jimmy Doolittle is a man”: “Much Done by Doolittle,”
Sun
, May 20, 1942, p. 4.

361
 “He should be named”: This is quoted in “Jimmy Did It,”
Time
, June 1, 1942, p. 17.

361
 “Jimmy did it”: Ibid.

361
 “This was a test”: “The Raid on Japan,” editorial,
New York Times
, May 20, 1942, p. 18.

361
 “The bombing of Tokio”: “The Man from Nowhere,” editorial,
Chicago Daily Tribune
, May 21, 1942, p. 12.

362
 “I’m pretty cocky”: “Jimmy Did It,”
Time
, June 1, 1942, p. 17.

362
 “Yippee!”: Ibid.

362
 “I think you should have gone”: Mrs. T. J. Dykema to Franklin Roosevelt, May 29, 1942, OF 5510, FDRL.

362
 “Give us more Doolittles”: James N. Jordan to Franklin Roosevelt, May 29, 1942, ibid.

362
 “We only know”: Marty Moore to James Doolittle, May 21, 1942, Box 64, Series IX, DPUT.

362
 “It is glorious news”: Herb Maxson to Joe Doolittle, May 19, 1942, ibid.

362
 “
So
your Jimmie”: Maude T. Howell to Joe Doolittle, May 21, 1942, ibid.

362
 “Among the scores”: Mrs. Archie R. Potter to Joe Doolittle, May 25, 1942, ibid.

362
 “I hated to dump”: William Halsey to James Doolittle, April 24, 1942, in “Official Papers of Fleet Admiral Ernest J. King” (Wilmington, Del.: Scholarly Resources, 1991), Microfilm Roll #2.

362
 “You have struck”: Ibid.

363
 “Congratulations, you dog!”: Roscoe Turner telegram to James Doolittle, in Doolittle,
I Could Never Be So Lucky Again
, p. 292.

363
 “The day the bombs fell”: Roscoe Turner to Joe Doolittle, June 2, 1942, Box 64, Series IX, DPUT.

363
 Doolittle sat down: This scene is based on a review of all the letters Doolittle sent to the families of the raiders in May 1942, which are on file with his papers at the LOC. Only those I quote from are cited below.

363
 “I am pleased to report”: J. H. Doolittle to Mrs. Fred Cole, May 20, 1942, Box 21, DPLOC.

364
 “Under separate cover”: J. H. Doolittle to Virginia Hilger, May 20, 1942, ibid.

364
 “It is with the deepest regret”: J. H. Doolittle to Mr. Edward Ginkle, May 21, 1942, ibid.

364
 “The latest news”: J. H. Doolittle to Jessie Farrow, May 22, 1942, ibid.

365
 “I am extremely sorry”: J. H. Doolittle to Ollie D. Hallmark, May 21, 1942, ibid.

365
 “All of the plane’s crew”: J. H. Doolittle to Mrs. Joseph H. Thatcher, May 21, 1942, ibid.

365
 “I doubt if the rules”: H. D. Watson to Ray Tucker, Nov. 2, 1942, Box 22, DPLOC.

365
 “I can’t express in words”: Thelma Bourgeois to James Doolittle, May 27, 1942, ibid.

365
 “I am hoping to get married”: Virginia Harmon to James Doolittle, May 30, 1942, ibid.

366
 “Robert is mighty proud”: Marvin and Della Gray to James Doolittle, June 4, 1942, ibid.

366
 “Your leadership inspired”: Florence Fisk White telegram to James Doolittle, June 28, 1942, ibid.

366
 “My heart grieves”: Mrs. Floyd Nielsen to Franklin Roosevelt, June 1, 1942, ibid.

366
 “I just pray God”: Mrs. R. P. Hite to James Doolittle, May 27, 1942, ibid.

366
 “Your kindness”: J. H. Doolittle to Mrs. J. T. Dieter, July 3, 1942, ibid.

367
 “If it is His purpose”: Jessie Farrow to James Doolittle, May 24, 1942, ibid.

367
 “To All Officers and Men: J. H. Doolittle to All Officers and Men with me at Shangri-La, June 15, 1942, Box 23, DPLOC.

367
 “You will grant”: Ibid.

367
 Army Air Forces officials initially: Sherman Atlick to A. D. Surles, Reception for General Doolittle Crewmen, June 15, 1942, ibid.

367
 More than two dozen raiders: Peters, “Japan Bombed with 20-Cent Sight,” p. 1.

367
 “These officers and enlisted men”: Citation for Distinguished Flying Cross, undated but with handwritten notes about presentation, Box 22, DPLOC; Scott Hart, “Airmen Tell Reactions in Daring Raid,”
Washington Post
, June 28, 1942, p. 1.

368
 “Don’t cry, honey”: “Tokyo Raiders’ Wives Thrilled,”
Los Angeles Times
, June 28, 1942, p. 5.

368
 “When I heard”: Ibid.

368
 “Something like a picnic”: Hart, “Airmen Tell Reactions in Daring Raid,” p. 1.

368
 “No information should”: Edgar F. G. Swasey to Major Weeks, Security Policy in Connection with the Handling of Publicity on Returning Tokyo Bombers, June 12, 1942, Box 1, Series XI, DTRAP.

368
 “You fellows use”: H. H. Arnold to Colonels Cabell and Norstad, May 18, 1942, “Additional Bombing Raids over Japan,” Microfilm Roll #201, HHAP.

368
 He recommended that Hilger: J. H. Doolittle letters to Commanding General, Army Air Forces, Distinguished Service Crosses, or Distinguished Service Medals, May 19, 1942 (this citation includes four letters, one each for Hilger, Greening, Hoover, and Jones), Box 22, DPLOC.

368
 The Army ultimately: J. A. Ulio letters to James H. Doolittle, July 6, 1942 (this citation includes four letters, one each for Hilger, Greening, Hoover, and Jones), Box 22, DPLOC; Max B. Boyd letters to David J. Thatcher, T. R. White, and Dean Davenport, July 1, 1942, ibid.

369
 “Beyond the limits”: “For Public Relations Branch: When, As, and If War Department Thinks Proper,” June 12, 1942.

369
 Doolittle likewise recommended: J. H. Doolittle to Commanding General, Army Air Forces, Promotions, May 19, 1942, and J. H. Doolittle to Commanding General, Army Air Forces, Promotions, May 20, 1942, both in Box 23, DPLOC.

369
 “The crew of the airplane”: J. H. Doolittle to Commanding General, Army Air Forces, Promotions, May 19, 1942, ibid.

369
 The plane carrying Ted Lawson: This scene is based on Lawson,
Thirty Seconds over Tokyo
, pp. 167–72.

369
 “I tried to stand up”: Ibid., p. 168.

369
 “How about the family situation”: This exchange is ibid., pp. 168–69.

370
 “Well, what do you think”: Roger H. Aylworth, “No Secrets: Chico Pilot’s Wife Knew about 1942 Doolittle Raid,”
Enterprise Record
, April 14, 2002, p. 1.

370
 “He is in good health”: James Doolittle to Ellen Lawson, June 17, 1942, Box 22, DPLOC.

370
 “I’m glad to know”: Lawson,
Thirty Seconds over Tokyo
, p. 170.

370
 “I jumped up”: Ibid., p. 172.

371
 “He’s still got some of that beach”: Ibid., p. 173.

371
 McClure likewise: Charles L. McClure as told to William Shinnick, “How We Bombed Tokio: Heroic Odyssey Ended,”
Chicago Daily Tribune
, May 6, 1943, p. 7; “Lt. C.L. McClure, Doolittle Tokyo Flier, Weds Miss Jean Buchanan after Hospital Romance,”
New York Times
, Feb. 2, 1943, p. 24.

371
 chief of the Army: “6 Army Fliers Decorated,”
New York Times
, July 7, 1942, p. 5.

371
 “were injured in an airplane crash”: “3 Raiders of Tokyo Get Chinese Honor,”
New York Times
, July 26, 1942, p. 9.

371
 “You have exploded the myth”: Ibid.

371
 shipping a box of cigars: “File Gen. Doolittle under ‘Gifts’ with cross-file on J. H. Patton,” Aug. 30, 1942, with Parachute Inspection and Drop Test Card, Box 21, DPLOC.

371
 He requested that: J. H. Doolittle to Officers and Men Who Raided Japan and Are Now in U.S., Request for Information Regarding Chinese Who Gave You Assistance, July 30, 1942, Box 22, DPLOC.

371
 Harold Watson suggested: Harold F. Watson, undated statement, and David J. Thatcher to J. H. Doolittle, Aug. 12, 1942, both ibid.

371
 “Neither man would take”: Thomas R. White statement in Charles W. Glanz to Assistant Chief of Staff, A-1, Dec. 3, 1942, “Recommendations for Decoration of Chinese Nationals Who Aided Special Project No. 1,” ibid.

372
 Pilot Bill Bower: H. W. Maxson to William Bower, July 24, 1942, ibid.

372
 navigator Tom Griffin: F. M. Young to James H. Doolittle, July 23, 1942, ibid.

372
 Pilots Griffith Williams and Ken Reddy: Steadham Acker to Henry H. Arnold, Aug. 10, 1942, ibid.

372
 engineer Jacob Eierman on his tour: Alex Smith to James H. Doolittle, Aug. 3, 1942, ibid.

372
 “Even though Ross”: Will J. Conner to J. H. Doolittle, July 21, 1942, ibid.

372
 “Jap planes couldn’t”: “Doolittle Praises Men Who Built Wright Engines,”
Wall Street Journal
, May 23, 1942, p. 4.

372
 “Through those radios”: James H. Doolittle telegram to the Employees of Western Electric Co., May 21, 1942, Box 22, DPLOC.

372
 Doolittle stopped by: “Doolittle Reveals Shangri-La Location,”
Reading Eagle
, June 2, 1942, p. 20; “Doolittle Hails B-25,”
New York Times
, June 2, 1942, p. 2.

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