Jimmy Doolittle

Led by Jimmy Doolittle on April 18, 1942, the Doolittle Raid was the first strategic airstrike by the United States against the Japanese home islands. The daring mission involved launching 16 B-25 Mitchell bombers from the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Hornet. The primary targets were military and industrial sites in Tokyo.

Because the bombers could not land back on an aircraft carrier, they were forced to fly toward China and either crash land or have their crews bail out. Most of the 80 airmen managed to safely reach Chinese territory and were hidden from Japanese forces by local villagers. One crew landed in the Soviet Union and was interned for over a year.

In 1929, Doolittle made the first completely "blind" flight, relying entirely on specialized instruments to take off, fly, and land without looking out the window. This historic achievement proved that pilots could safely fly through thick fog and heavy clouds. It fundamentally revolutionized modern aviation and safety protocols.

For his leadership, extreme bravery, and the massive morale boost the mission provided to the American public, President Franklin D. Roosevelt awarded Doolittle the Medal of Honor. He was promoted from Lieutenant Colonel to Brigadier General, skipping the rank of Colonel entirely. He received the award directly from Roosevelt at the White House.