From the S&S archives: At 81, World War II hero Doolittle's memory remains sharp

SHAPE, Belgium — "I've had a very interesting life," the wiry veteran observed. "I've been extremely lucky.

"When people say, `Would you like to live your life over?' I say, `No. I could never be that lucky a second time.' "

That was World War II aviation hero Lt. Gen. James A. Doolittle, born 81 years ago in Alameda, Calif., talking during a stop here.

The general, now consultant to an international insurance company, had been invited to Lucerne, Switzerland, by the Swiss museum of transportation to take part in dedication of a plane he had flown from 1932 to 1936.

The pilot's memory hadn't faded, especially not when it came to recalling the event that put him in the history books — his leading America's first World War II air strike against Japan on April 18, 1942. He remembered that if he had been a little slower on his feet 36 years ago, he might have missed the strike that stands out in the minds of many Americans because it was one of their earliest pieces of good news during the conflict.

"I wasn't told I would be in command of the mission. I was given the chore of selecting the aircraft, the crews and their training, supervising the maintenance and changes in the aircraft," he said.

"At that time, I asked if I might command the outfit, having by then achieved what I thought was a better knowledge of the people, equipment and mission than anyone else. And, that request was grudgingly granted by my superior, Gen. (Henry H. "Hap") Arnold.

"As a matter of fact, I know he gave it grudgingly because immediately he said I could go if his chief of staff (Maj. Gen. Millard F. "Miff" Harmon) approved.

"I rushed down to Gen. Harmon's office and asked if he had any objections, and he said no.

"Before I could leave the room, I heard the buzzer go and heard Miff say, 'But Hap, I just told him he could go.' "

What Doolittle had for protection from enemy fighters was two broomsticks stuck in the rear of the B25s to simulate machine guns.

"We had to remove the gun turrets, machine guns and the Norden bombsights from the B25s to make room for the long-range gas tanks. "We stuck the broomsticks in the rear to fool fighters that might take a run at our tail," he said.

The fleet of B25s, broomsticks and all, evaded Japanese antiaircraft guns, bombed military targets in Tokyo and bailed out over China. Eleven of the 80 crew members were killed or captured. The remainder of the crews, including Doolittle, eventually made it to safety with the help of friendly Chinese.

"The raid had very little damaging effect. Sixteen tons of bombs ... a puny effort," Doolittle said. "We paid a rather high price, but there is no doubt it was worth the risk. It raised morale at home, when we had nothing but losses to brood about."

The strike led to immediate promotion. Doolittle was then a lieutenant colonel. Two years later, at age 44, he was a lieutenant general. He also received the Medal of Honor for his actions that gray day.

Doolittle is best remembered for the Tokyo raid, but he was also one of the ace pilots in the pioneer days of aviation and captured just about every major aviation award in the U. S.

He holds many air speed records. In 1922, he was first to fly across the U.S. in less than 24 hours and in 1929 he was first to fly a set course and land without being able to see the ground.

After the war, Doolittle went on inactive duty and was named vice president of an oil company. He retired from military service in 1959. From 1959 to 1962, he was chairman of Aerospace Technology Laboratories.

Doolittle thinks today's volunteer military compares well to the fighting force of his era.

"The change that has come is in the increased complexity, more technological changes, rather than changes in people," he said. "In peacetime, I think that a draft is not required. In time of war, I think it is necessary to build up as rapidly as possible and a draft might be required."

Like many aviators, Doolittle was disappointed about cancellation of the B-1 "because I feel a long-range penetrating bomber is a very important part of our strategic posture. I feel that we need to use a larger percentage of the gross national product in building up our military forces so that they remain at least equal to those of our enemy. At the present time, our enemies are rapidly overtaking us," he said.

"I think that anything that we can work out with the Russians that is to our mutual advantage should be worked out. But I think that we should be ever alert to the fact that when it is no longer to their advantage, they will no longer abide by their agreement."