Remembering Doolittle’s Raiders

This month, April 2017, was the 75th anniversary of the bombing of Japan by carrier based B-25 aircraft. Lt. Colonel James Doolittle was the leader and flew the first plane from the deck of the USS Hornet (CV8). I find it amazing that in our local, state and national news, both printed and electronic failed to report it. I could not find a word about this. That shows me the importance that this historic event meant to the media in this country.

There is only one surviving member of group left. The next to the last was Staff Sgt David Thatcher (age 94) who was an enlisted crew member of the Ruptured Duck. He passed away on June 23, 2016, shortly after the 74th anniversary. History says that he was the youngest of them all. The Duck was Lt. Ted Lawson’s plane. Lt. Lawson was the man who wrote the book “Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo.” If you view old footage of the launching of the planes, you will see one sink about half way down from the deck, hug the water and lift back in to the air. That was Lt. Lawson. He forgot to extend his flaps before takeoff. All the others lifted up from the pitching deck. Richard Cole is the last surviving member. Lt. Colonel Cole was Doolittle’s co-pilot. He is 101 years old. He planned to attend a ceremony this month to turn over Thatcher’s cup. After the raid Lt. Col. is reported to have stayed in Asia flying cargo over the Himalayan “hump.” Others went to the European theater.

These airmen volunteered to do a job without knowing what that job was. I think that the least we could do is acknowledge their efforts. If historians are correct, their minor damage to Japan may just have had a major impact on the war.

Tom Suter

La Crescenta

Major Accident on 210

Just in case there is a doubt how bad and dangerous the 210 Freeway is …

On Thursday (April 20) at 8:30 p.m., I was coming back to La Cañada from showing property in Sunland between Lowell and Pennsylvania avenues. There was a Batco tractor-type tire lying in the No. 2 lane. I ran over it in the dark at full speed of 65 mph. I could not swerve in either lane next to me because I would have hit other drivers and involved them in an accident, so I went over the huge tire, which I barely saw.

I exited Pennsylvania Avenue after having blown my front tires; I coasted off the ramp on my rims! I was scared to stay on the freeway for fear I’d be hit or killed.

My car is at Gene’s Auto Body in Montrose and there are over $6,000 in repair estimates – so far. I walked away with a few bruises, cuts and two fractured pelvis bones. But I am so thankful – it could have been much worse!

Jana Wunderlich

La Canada