Army Honors Doolittle`s Raiders at 67th Reunion
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Famous World War II Unit Recognized by Freedom Team Salute COLUMBIA, S.C.--(Business Wire)-- Sixty-seven years ago on April 18, 1942, 16 B-25 bombers with five-man crews flew from the USS Hornet aircraft carrier in the Pacific to launch the first attack against the Japanese homeland during World War II. Lieutenant Colonel James Doolittle, a highly respected aviator, led the air raid against Tokyo and other targets. He began the initial training of his men in Columbia, South Carolina. This past weekend, four of the nine remaining fliers from Doolittle`s famous raid attended their 67th annual reunion in Columbia and were honored by the Army`s Freedom Team Salute (FTS) program for their service and heroism. FTS honors the millions of Soldier Veterans who have served and remain as our living connection to generations of duty, honor, and patriotism. Doolittle and his raiders bombed Japan in response to the attack on Pearl Harbor four months earlier on December 7, 1941. "The men who flew with LTC Doolittle are all American military heroes," said Colonel David Griffith, Director of the Army`s Freedom Team Salute program. "We felt humbled to have the opportunity to present Freedom Team Salute Veteran Commendations to four of the remaining nine Raiders. Their contributions and sacrifices during World War II will always be remembered by the citizens of this nation and forever remain in the annals of Army history." Doolittle's Raiders who attended the reunion and received Commendations included Lieutenant Colonel (Ret) Richard E. Cole of Comfort, Texas; Major (Ret) Thomas C. Griffin of Cincinnati, Ohio; Lieutenant Colonel (Ret) Robert L. Hite of Nashville, Tennessee; and Staff Sergeant (Ret) David J. Thatcher of Missoula, Montana. The Doolittle reunion was organized by the Celebrate Freedom Foundation, which sponsors the annual Celebrate Freedom Festival at Fort Jackson to honor Veterans. The Celebrate Freedom Foundation, a 501-c-3 nonprofit corporation, is a historical and educational organization that educates children, promotes patriotism, and honors Veterans past, present, and future. Freedom Team Salute was established in 2005 by the Secretary of the Army and the Army Chief of Staff to give the public the opportunity to thank all U.S. Army Veterans for their service by recognizing them with Commendations. The program also honors and recognizes the Parents, Spouses, Employers, and Supporters of Active Duty, Army Reserve, and National Guard Soldiers. The Commendations consist of a personalized letter and certificate signed by Pete Geren, Secretary of the Army and General George W. Casey Jr., the Army Chief of Staff. Honorees also receive official Army lapel pins and The Salute, a quarterly newsletter that contains information of interest to the Army family. Freedom Team Salute has honored over 1.9 million Army Veterans, Spouses, Parents, Supporters, and Employers since its launch. For more information on Freedom Team Salute and honoring U.S. Army Veterans, please visit www.freedomteamsalute.com website. Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=5943896&lang=en Freedom Team Salute David Thompson Media Relations Manager 703-325-3963 Cell: 301-785-7670 David.Thompson57@us.army.mil Lindsay Brothers Media Relations 703-325-3965 Cell: 410-977-2082 Lindsay.Brothers@summitmarketing.com Copyright Business Wire 2009
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