Over 500 people attended the Second Annual Doolittle Raiders Celebration held at NAS Pensacola. Sponsored by the CTW-6 (Navy) and the 479th Flight Training Group (USAF), naval and air force flight students, their guests and local military supporters came out to salute our Pensacola Pearl Harbor Survivors.
Historical Background
Launched on April 18, 1941, 16 American B-25 bombers flew from the aircraft carrier, USS Hornet, and commanded by Lt. Col. James H. Doolittle, this surprise air raid was designed to avenge the attack on Pearl Harbor. 80 brave crew members, referred to as the Doolittle Raiders, embarked on a “dangerous, secret mission” with little hope of surviving because the planes did not contain enough fuel to return to the ship. The flight successfully resulted in a bombing raid at high noon in Tokyo, the first attack of World War II . Believing that their homeland was safe, since Japan had not been attacked since 1281 by Kublai Khan, Japanese citizens were jerked into the reality that their homeland was no longer protected by the magical “kamikaze” – divine wind. This attack was the first joint mission between United States Army Air Force and the United States Navy against an enemy.
Pearl Harbor Survivors Honored
Three local Pearl Harbor Survivors, M. Jay Carraway, Frank Emond and Cass E. Phillips were the guests of honor at this year’s celebration. Each had an opportunity to recall their December 7th, 1941 adventures. In addition, survivor Angie Engel, wife of the late CDR Joseph Engel, and her family attended.
The Manhattan Dolls, based in Tuscon, AZ, provided music from the 1940’s. Excitement filled the hangar as active duty personnel had an opportunity to meet the Pearl Harbor Survivors, their families and supporters.