J. Royden Stork, B-25 co-pilot on Doolittle Raid, dies at 85

Associated Press / SFGate

[RCW2001]

Tuesday, May 7, 2002
©2002 Associated Press

URL: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/news/archive/2002/05/07/obituary2042EDT0179.DTL

(05-07) 17:42 PDT LOS ANGELES (AP) --

J. Royden Stork, a B-25 co-pilot on the daring Doolittle Raid that bombed Tokyo four months after the attack on Pearl Harbor, has died. He was 85.

Stork died of cardiac arrest May 2 at Century City Hospital, a spokeswoman said.

Stork was aboard one of 16 B-25s led by Lt. Col. James H. Doolittle on the mission to quickly retaliate against the Japanese after the Navy's Pacific Fleet was devastated in the Dec. 7, 1941, attack on Pearl Harbor.

The B-25s, medium bombers designed to operate from land bases, were taken to sea aboard the aircraft carrier Hornet and launched on April 18, 1942.

The planes, each with a five-man crew, were forced to take off hundreds of miles farther out to sea than planned because the naval force unexpectedly encountered Japanese boats that may have gotten off radio warnings before being destroyed.

The planes hit targets in Tokyo and elsewhere, but the extra distance they had to fly left them short of fuel needed to reach airfields in China. Most crews bailed out when their planes ran out of gas. Others crash-landed or ditched and one landed in Russia.

Two of the 80 men drowned, and of eight captured, three were executed by the Japanese and one died in prison camp.

Stork parachuted from his plane and was knocked unconscious upon landing. With the help of a local Chinese official he was able to eventually reach a rendezvous point.

He was then assigned to the Army's 10th Air Force in India and flew missions in the China-Burma-India theater for 16 months before he and the other surviving Doolittle Raiders were removed from combat flying when it was learned that the Japanese had placed a $5,000 bounty on each of their heads. Stork was discharged in 1946.

Stork was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, among other honors.

After his military duty, he found a career in Hollywood as a makeup artist for Fox Studios. Among his film credits was the 1949 film "Twelve O'Clock High," starring Gregory Peck as a commander of U.S. bomber pilots in England during World War II.

Stork also attended last year's premiere of "Pear Harbor," a movie that depicted the raid. Stork and other survivors complained to scriptwriter Randall Wallace that both Doolittle and the raid were incorrectly depicted in the film.

Stork also participated in last month's 60th anniversary reunion for Doolittle Raiders.

He is survived by his wife of 44 years, the former Kay Adelle.

©2002 Associated Press  

[Repub Bub]

ping

[Rome2000]

No doubt recent world events put stress on this great American.

Rest in peace and may the USA continue to be the home of heroes of this caliber.

[jwfiv]

I've just come in from the porch, where I was watching as a B-25 and B-17 as they flew south along the coast from Carlsbad to San Diego and back north again

I was ready for them, with a pair of small binos.

Sunset glinting off the bubbles, the most beautiful lines I've ever seen, the white star in the blue circle.

The boy's heart that still beats in me was jumping in joy and awe. I could feel the engines' hum and purr.

God bless the USA and all who have served her.

A special blessing for the departed Mr. Stork.

Thanks for the post, RCW2001.

[Buffalo Head]

Thanks for the post.

He was a volunteer, as were the other 79. They risked all for their country and personal pride.

[Draakan]

J. Royden Stork, We Thank You!

[Darlin']

Rest In Peace, Sir and Thank you.