21 Comments
User's avatar
Patty's avatar

Someone has to be the first. Thank goodness for the courageous people who are willing to be the first and take all the risks. Doolittle is a well known name. One of many firsts right up to our astronauts venturing into space and beyond.

Expand full comment
Joe's avatar

This is a different kind of hero story, but he was a “go-getter” pioneer hero for sure. Without all the people to be the first to try something - flying with instruments, going into space, fling across oceans, submarining under an ice pack, parachuting, and infinitely more - our lives would be so different. Here’s a toast to the pioneers of yesterday . . . and tomorrow !

Expand full comment
Johnny Baker Jr. MLA's avatar

Considering the number of plane crashes in inclement weather since then because pilots were not instrument qualified, this is astonishing!

Expand full comment
Mark E Johnson's avatar

Doolittle's commitment to excellence made the Tokyo raid possible. This story proves that commitment and the preparations needed to make it all possible. We can learn from that!

Expand full comment
Wally Firkins's avatar

Thank you Tara. There has to be a first time for everything that becomes common and relatively easy. Mr. Jimmy Doolittle was the first to fly without the ability to see and to rely on instruments instead of his eyesight. His first IFR flight was nerve wrecking but he had practiced and was self assured that the first flight under the hood would be successful and he went on to become a hero in WW2.

Thank God for people like Jimmy Doolittle and I thank God for the Greatest Generation and all who have served or currently serve this great nation.

Expand full comment
Bruce Barlond's avatar

No instruments!

Doolittle really knew how FLY and land that aircraft!

Thank you, Tara, for this unknown to me story!

Expand full comment
Jack Miller's avatar

The pioneers of early aviation were astounding and humble. I just call them awesome. Thanks Tara for this lesson. 🙏❤️💪🇺🇲

Expand full comment
Jim's avatar

My sentiments exactly Jack 💯 👌 👏

Expand full comment
Will Southcombe's avatar

Great story about a famous war Hero. Thank you, Tara Ross!

Expand full comment
Sika57's avatar

Quite the feat in that time for sure, yet back then in the early years of aviation many took chances to advance flying. Doolittle was an exception o the rule, his flight off an aircraft carrier years later was one for the books. Thanks for these history lessons Tara! America was always leading the way to the future in planes, jets and space flights!!!

Expand full comment
Dan Cale's avatar

I would presume that is the kind of outsider thinking he used to come up with the bold Tokyo bombing raid from carriers. Thanks Tara.

Expand full comment
Gregory Keller ⁷'s avatar

Well that was interesting. Thank you Tara. He was an American hero.

Expand full comment
Irene Saltsgaver's avatar

I don't think I want to do that, even with all the things we have today. Thank you

Expand full comment
Jody's avatar

Good Hippity Hoppity Hump Day Tara Ross!😉💯🇺🇸🏴‍☠️❤️

Expand full comment
James M Airesman's avatar

Thank you, Tara.

Expand full comment
John Buckley's avatar

Is it me, or are pilots, (airmen), born with a special mentality to live shortened lives?

Doolittles parents must have spent many years on their knees, praying that Jimmy would

live to see another day, with all of his heroism and daredevil antics.

Expand full comment
David K Thiel's avatar

Doolittle? He did a lot!

Expand full comment