Ricochet is the best place on the internet to discuss the issues of the day, either through commenting on posts or writing your own for our active and dynamic community in a fully moderated environment. In addition, the Ricochet Audio Network offers over 50 original podcasts with new episodes released every day.
Richard Cole, RIP
The last of the Doolittle Raiders, retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Richard “Dick” Cole, has died at age 103.
Cole, originally from Dayton, Ohio, was mission commander Jimmy Doolittle’s co-pilot in the 1942 bombing attack less than five months after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. The bold raid on Japan is credited with providing the United States with a morale boost and helping turn the tide of the war in the Pacific.
“I think the main thing was that you had to go in with a positive attitude,” Cole said in September of the against-the-odds mission. “I really didn’t worry about it. It was our job, and we knew what to expect.”
In 2015, the Raiders, including Cole, were honored with the Congressional Gold Medal for their “outstanding heroism, valor, skill and service to the United States.”
Cole parachuted to safety, and he and other Raiders were helped by Chinese partisans. But seven crewmembers died – three were killed during the mission; three others were captured and executed, and one died in captivity.
They were brave men who deserve to be remembered for their daring and dangerous attack on Japan in April 1942.
Amazing story and amazing comments – boy – you can’t beat those Texans!
I met Mr. Cole on a couple of occasions. (His son is my brother in law.) He was a wonderful man. Very kind but also very sharp and witty. At his 101st birthday party one of the guests asked him if that was the first time he jumped out of an airplane and Dick replied: “First … and last!”
The family had a local memorial service yesterday (the big one is this Thursday at Randolph. Video of the flyover:
Local (San Antonio) News Story: https://www.ksat.com/news/memorial-flyover-held-for-last-wwii-doolittle-raider-who-died-tuesday