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| USAAF 12th AF 17th BG 34th BS  USAAF April 18, 1942  USAAF April 1942 |
Pilot Col. James H. "Jimmy" Doolittle, O-2771885 (survived) Alameda, CA Co-Pilot Lt. Richard E. Cole, O-421602 (survived) Navigator 1st Lt. Henry A. Potter, O-419614 (survived) Pierre, SD Bombardier Sgt Fred A. Breamer, 6875923 (survived) Seattle, WA Gunner Sgt Paul J. Leonard, 6248728 (survived) Landed April 18, 1942 "Doolittle Raid" MACR none Aircraft History Built by North American Aviation (NAA). Constructors Number 62B-3013. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as B-25B Mitchell serial number 40-2344. Wartime History Assigned to the 12th Air Force, 17th Bombardment Group, 34th Bombardment Squadron. No known nickname or nose art. One of sixteen B-25's assigned to the "Doolittle Raid". On April 1, 1942 loaded aboard USS Hornet (CV-8) for the upcoming top secret "Doolittle Raid" against Japan. Mission History On April 18, 1942 at 8:20am took off from USS Hornet (CV-8) piloted by Col. James H. "Jimmy" Doolittle as aircraft number one (no. 1) of sixteen bombers on the "Doolittle Raid" against targets in Japan. Aboard was a crew from the 34th Bombardment Squadron. As the lead B-25 proceeded to Tokyo and bombed the north central industrial area with four incendiary cluster bombs. Over the target, released three demolition bombs and one incendiary bomb. Afterwards, this B-25 proceeded to the coast of China where unfavorable weather made it necessary for the entire crew to bail out from 8,000' north of Quzhou, roughly 70 miles north of Chuchow. Fates of the Crew After bailing out, the entire crew landed safely near Tien Mu Shen roughly 70 miles north of Chuchow. After landing, the entire crew was rescued by General Ho, Director of the Western Branch of Chekiang Province who agreed to collect any crews down between Hung Chow Bay and Wen Chow Bay using sampans and junks. Memorials Leonard was later Killed In Action (KIA) on January 5, 1943 in North Africa. His is buried at Santa Fe National Cemetery at section Q, site 74. He also is listed on a memorial marker at Fairmount Cemetery in Denver, CO at block 46. Breamer retired from the U.S. Air Force (USAF) with the rank of Captain in 1966. He passed away February 2, 1989 and is buried at Calvary Cemetery in Lincoln, Nebraska. Afterwards, Doolittle earned the Medal of Honor for his role in the mission and was promoted to the rank of General when he retired from the U.S. Army. Doolittle passed away September 27, 1993. He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery at section 7A site 110. Potter passed away May 27, 2002. He is buried at Cook-Walden Capital Parks Cemetery and Mausoleum in Pflugerville, TX. Cole earned the Bronze Star Air Medal, and the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC). He retired from the U.S. Air Force (USAF) with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Active in the Doolittle Association, he was the last surviving crew member from the "Doolittle Raid" until he passed away April 9, 2019 at age 103 in the San Antonio Military Medical Center in San Antonio, TX. He will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery. References USAF Serial Number Search Results - B-25B Mitchell 40-2344 "2344 (17th BG, 34th BS) was Doolittle raider. Was 1st aircraft launched from USS Hornet, flown by Lt Col James H. Doolittle. Bombed Tokyo, ran out of fuel, crew bailed out 70 mi N of Chuchow." General Doolittle's Report on Japanese Raid April 18, 1942 Fold3 - James H Doolittle World War II · US Army · General FindAGrave - GEN Jimmy Doolittle (photos, grave photo) FindAGrave - Col Henry A Potter (photos, grave photo) FindAGrave - LTC Richard Eugene “Dick” Cole (photos) Veteran Tributes - Fred A. Braemer (photo, biography) FindAGrave - CPT Fred Anthony Braemer (photos, grave photo) FindAGrave - MSGT Paul J Leonard (photos, Fairmount Cemetery grave photo) FindAGrave - MSGT Paul John Leonard (photo, Santa Fe National Cemetery grave photo) AP "WWII era bombers fly over Doolittle Raiders memorial service" April 20, 2017 Military "Last of the Doolittle Raiders, Dick Cole, Dies at 103" April 9, 2019 Military "Memorial Will Honor Last Doolittle Raider on Anniversary of WWII Raid" April 16, 2019 Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated
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