Doolittle

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James Harold Doolittle, 0-271885, Lieutenant General, promoted to General in 1985

Pilot Crew 1

Born December 14, 1896, Alameda, California
Died September 27, 1993, Carmel, California

Educated in Nome, Alaska; Los Angeles Junior College and spent a year at the University of California School of Mines. Enlisted as a Flying Cadet in the Signal Corps Reserve on October 6, 1917. Completed flight training and commissioned as second lieutenant on March 11, 1918. Received BA Degree from University of California in 1922, MS from Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1924 and his Doctor of Science degree from M.I.T. in 1925.

Flew demonstration and experimental flights in South America in 1926 and 1928 while on leave. In 1928 assisted in the development of blind flying equipment at Mitchell Field, New York and accomplished the first flight completely dependant upon instruments.

Resigning from the Army in 1930, Doolittle was named manager of the Aviation Department of the Shell Oil Company. In 1932, while on temporary active duty, set a world's high speed record for land aircraft. Named President of the Institute of Aeronautical Sciences in 1940.

Recalled to active duty in July, 1940. In September 1942, after the Tokyo Raid, assumed command of the 12th Air Force in North Africa and in March 1943 became commanding general of the 15th Air Force in the Mediterranean Theater. From January 1944 to September 1945 Doolittle commanded the Eighth Air Force.

He returned to the Shell Oil Company as a vice-president and later as a director following the war when he reverted to inactive reserve status. He was Chairman of the Board, Space Technology Laboratories, Redondo Beach, California, until 1962 when he became a consultant.

Doolittle's honors include the Schneider and Mackay Trophies awarded in 1925, the Harmon Trophy in 1930, the Bendix Trophy in 1931, and the Thompson Trophy in 1932.

Doolittle's decorations include the Medal of Honor, Distinguished Flying Service Cross with one Oak leaf Cluster, Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Bronze Star, Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, the Chinese Order of Yung Hui, 3rd Class and eight other foreign decorations.

Jimmy Doolittle had never been a Captain or a Colonel. He resigned his regular commission as a 1st Lieutenant in 1930 and left active duty. He was given Reserve commission as a Major. He was recalled to active duty at his own request in 1940 as a Major. He was a Lieutenant Colonel at the time of the Tokyo Raid. He was promoted to Brigadier General after the raid, skipping the rank of Colonel. He retired as a Lieutenant General, Air Force Reserve - the only Reserve officer to ever retire in that rank. He gave 1/2 of his reserve retired pay to Air Force Aid Society and the other 1/2 to the Air Force Academy Foundation. Doolittle was promoted to full general in 1985 by special act of Congress.