For Those Who Did the End Run First...

[Dundradal]

In commemoration to the dedication found in End Run to the first raiders...

For Lt. General "Jimmie" Doolittle, who did the end run first. Thank you, Godspeed, and safe journey.

Today (April 18) represents the 69th anniversary of that first end run. I'll quote the US Naval History & Heritage Command...

On 18 Apr 1942, in the first attack of the Japanese mainland during WWII, the Doolittle Raid began with sixteen Army Air Force B-25 bombers launched earlier than expected from USS Hornet (CV 8), approx 650 miles off Japan due to being discovered by Japanese guardboat No.23 Nitto Maru. Fifteen of the bombers were lost in the attack, with only one landing at Vladivostok, where the crew were interned by the Soviets. Embarrassed by the attack, the Japanese high command decided to eliminate future aircraft carrier raids, which ultimately led to the disaster at the Battle of Midway in Jun 1942.