Free Republic

Nolan Herndon, a member of the famed Doolittle Raiders who bombed Japan in 1942, has died. He was 88. Herndon died Sunday of pneumonia, Edgefield Mercantile Funeral Home director David Burnett told The Associated Press on Monday. Herndon, a Texas native, enlisted on July 27, 1940, after attending two years of college, according to the Web site http://www.doolittleraider.com. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant about a year later. He also graduated from navigator training and completed bombardier training. Herndon participated in one of the most daring air raids in American history, when 16 B-25 bombers took off from an...

Lt. Col. Chase J. Nielsen, a Utah man and member of the famed "Doolittle Raiders" who bombed Japan in 1942 -- in a retaliation attack from Pearl Harbor -- passed away on Friday at the age of 90. Nielsen was a navigator in one of the most daring air raids in American history, when 16 B-25 bombers took off from an aircraft carrier and bombed Tokyo on April 18, 1942. Nielsen and his crew -- named "Crew 6," because of the order in which they left the aircraft carrier -- ditched the plane off the coast of China after it...

Lord, Keep our Troops forever in Your care Give them victory over the enemy... Grant them a safe and swift return... Bless those who mourn the lost. . FReepers from the Foxhole join in prayer for all those serving their country at this time. ...................................................................................... ........................................... U.S. Military History, Current Events and Veterans Issues Where Duty, Honor and Countryare acknowledged, affirmed and commemorated. Our Mission: The FReeper Foxhole is dedicated to Veterans of our Nation's military forces and to others who are affected in their relationships with Veterans. In the FReeper Foxhole, Veterans or their family members should feel...

World War II bomber revived as 'living memorial' http://www.portales-news.com/engine.pl?station=portales&template=storyfull.html&id=8117 http://tinyurl.com/fu9fh By Marlena Hartz: Freedom Newspapers marlena_hartz@link.freedom.com Created on: May 27, 2006 - 6:13AM - 8117 In a San Antonio junkyard, the B-25 Pacific Prowler idled, bird nests and cobwebs cluttering her insides. That was until Jim Terry rescued her. Three years ago, the retired Air Force pilot restored the famous World War II bomber, built in August 1944. “It was a ghost,” said Terry, a Fort Worth, Texas, resident. No longer, however, is the plane a ghost. Its metal exterior glints in the sunlight, oiled for the brilliant shine. When...

If you've ever dreamed of sailing the skies in a World War II bomber, there may be no time like the present in Tucson. But it'll cost ya. Four vintage bombers will touch down in the city in April, offering rides at about $400 a pop. The events are sponsored by two nonprofit foundations that use the money to help keep the rare old warplanes running. The Old Pueblo has become a favorite stopover for such outfits because our warm-weather city has all the attributes they look for. "Tucson is a hot spot because it has so many retirees and...

EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE - Planning for the upcoming open house on Oct. 22 and 23 is hitting a fever pitch as base officials finalize one of the most diverse air shows to hit the Antelope Valley and Los Angeles area in years. This year there will be just under seven hours of continuous flying featuring nearly 34 separate flight demonstrations; more than triple those of most shows common to southern California. Some highlights include a special performance by aviation legend Chuck Yeager flying a P-51 Mustang, the same type of aircraft Yeager flew when he became an ace in...

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C. (May 23, 2005) -- Panchito, a vintage B-25 named for the fighting rooster featured in a 1945 animated musical, graced event goers with its presence May 20-22 during the Cherry Point Air Show. In addition to charming air show guests with its classic paint scheme and powerful engines, the aircraft brought a message of awareness for Disabled American Veterans. The B-25 boasts a dynamic history. Best known for its role in Jimmy Doolittle's famed 1942 raid over Tokyo, the aircraft now enjoys the position of air show jewel. From wartime and post-World War...

Lord, Keep our Troops forever in Your care Give them victory over the enemy... Grant them a safe and swift return... Bless those who mourn the lost. . FReepers from the Foxhole join in prayer for all those serving their country at this time. ...................................................................................... ........................................... U.S. Military History, Current Events and Veterans Issues Where Duty, Honor and Countryare acknowledged, affirmed and commemorated. Our Mission: The FReeper Foxhole is dedicated to Veterans of our Nation's military forces and to others who are affected in their relationships with Veterans. In the FReeper Foxhole, Veterans or their family members should feel...

Lord, Keep our Troops forever in Your care Give them victory over the enemy... Grant them a safe and swift return... Bless those who mourn the lost. . FReepers from the Foxhole join in prayer for all those serving their country at this time. ...................................................................................... ........................................... U.S. Military History, Current Events and Veterans Issues Where Duty, Honor and Countryare acknowledged, affirmed and commemorated. Our Mission: The FReeper Foxhole is dedicated to Veterans of our Nation's military forces and to others who are affected in their relationships with Veterans. In the FReeper Foxhole, Veterans or their family members should feel...

WWII raiders land Doolittle fliers back in Tucson for 62nd reunion It was a welcome befitting some of World War II's most famous aerial heroes. Four vintage B-25 bombers and a B-17 bomber thundered through Tucson's blue skies Wednesday to greet the last of the silver-haired Doolittle Tokyo Raiders as they arrived here for their 62nd annual reunion. The historic aircraft touched down with precious cargo: 80 silver goblets the Raiders received as a tribute from the citizens of Tucson in 1959, and which have been used ever since to commemorate their mission.

In their day, they were America's kamikaze pilots, volunteering for a suicide mission that would later be immortalized by Hollywood. Now, after more than four decades, the last of the Doolittle Tokyo Raiders are returning to Tucson, the city that showered them with gifts that are still used to commemorate their feat. Only 17 of these World War II heroes - one of them a Tucsonan - remain. Most will arrive here this week for the group's reunion on the raid's 62nd anniversary, the first time they have gathered here since 1959. The fanfare will include a flyover of four...

Lord, Keep our Troops forever in Your care Give them victory over the enemy... Grant them a safe and swift return... Bless those who mourn the lost. . FReepers from the Foxhole join in prayer for all those serving their country at this time. ...................................................................................... ........................................... U.S. Military History, Current Events and Veterans Issues Where Duty, Honor and Countryare acknowledged, affirmed and commemorated. Our Mission: The FReeper Foxhole is dedicated to Veterans of our Nation's military forces and to others who are affected in their relationships with Veterans. Welcome to "Warrior Wednesday" Where the Freeper Foxhole introduces a different...

Dear Lord, There's a young man far from home, called to serve his nation in time of war; sent to defend our freedom on some distant foreign shore. We pray You keep him safe, we pray You keep him strong, we pray You send him safely home ... for he's been away so long. There's a young woman far from home, serving her nation with pride. Her step is strong, her step is sure, there is courage in every stride. We pray You keep her safe, we pray You keep her strong, we pray You send her safely home...

World War II heroes kick off five-day celebrationA LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT President Bush sent the Raiders a letter that was read at Wednesday night's reception: "Your actions during World War II and your contributions to our Nation will never be forgotten. "As our Nation confronts the challenges of a new era, I salute the example set by the Doolittle Raiders. Their bravery and devotion to duty are an inspiration to all Americans." 'TODAY SHOW' NBC's "Today Show," which airs from 7 to 10 a.m., plans to feature the Raiders' story this morning. The 60th anniversary reunion of Doolittle's Tokyo...

<p>Lt. Horace Crouch, "Sally" to buddies since his early teen-age years in Columbia, hunkered down in the bombardier's position in the Plexiglas nose of a B-25 bomber and watched anxiously for the USS Hornet's deckmaster to signal pilot Richard Joyce.</p>