Doolittle Award

U.S. Air Force Assistant Vice Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Richard Newton III presents Col. Patrick Doherty with the inaugural Doolittle Award June 2, 2011, at the Air Force Memorial in Arlington, Va. The Air Force Historical Foundation Doolittle Award recognizes a unit that has displayed bravery, determination, discipline, esprit de corps and superior management of joint operations while accomplishing its mission under extremely difficult and hazardous conditions in multiple conflicts, making a sustained, significant contribution to Air Force history. Colonel Doherty is the commander of the 4th Fighter Wing, and accepted the award on behalf of the wing. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Gino Reyes)

Doolittle Award

Four F-15E Strike Eagles fly June 2, 2011, above the Air Force Memorial in Arlington, Va., following the 4th Fighter Wing's acceptance of the inaugural Doolittle Award. The Air Force Historical Foundation's new distinction acknowledges sustained, distinctive contributions to the history and heritage of the U.S. Air Force, and is named after aviation pioneer James H. Doolittle, who served as a lieutenant general in the United States Army Air Forces during World War II and received the Medal of Honor for valor and leadership as commander of the famous Doolittle Raid. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Gino Reyes)

Doolittle Raiders

Doolittle Raider Thomas Griffin, who was a navigator on crew 9, signs autographs at the Doolittle Raiders Lounge April 15, 2011, at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., as Airman 1st Class Paul Imm, of the 55th Operations Support Squadron, assists. The autograph session was part of the Raiders' 69th annual reunion, which took place April 14 through 17. (U.S. Air Force photo/Josh Plueger)

Doolittle Raiders

Doolittle Raider David Thatcher, who was an engineer-gunner on crew 7, shakes hands with 1st Lt. Taylor Eavenson as Lt. Col. John Cooper looks on April 15, 2011, at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb. The five surviving Doolittle Raiders visited there as part of their 69th annual reunion, which took place this year in Nebraska from April 14 through 17. Lieutenant Eavenson is an electronic warfare officer with the 38th Reconnaissance Squadron. Colonel Cooper is the 55th Operations Group deputy commander. (U.S. Air Force photo/Josh Plueger)

Thousands honor Doolittle Raiders at the 67th Reunion

Thomas Griffin, a Doolittle Raider, signs autographs after a luncheon April 17 in Columbia, S.C., during the 67th Doolittle Raider reunion. Mr. Griffin was a navigator for crew no. 9. In 1943, he was shot down over Germany and captured and held prisoner until April 1945. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman William Coleman)

Former Doolittle Raider passes away

Former Lt. Nolan A. Herndon, a member of the famed Doolittle Raiders, died of pneumonia Oct. 8 at the age of 88. The lieutenant was a navigator-bombardier on one of the B-25 bombers that took off from an aircraft carrier on April 18, 1942, to strike targets in Japan. He was a member of Crew No. 8, shown in this historical photo: front row: Capt. Edward J. York, pilot; Lt. Robert G. Emmens, copilot; back row: Lt. Nolan A. Herndon, navigator/bombardier; SSgt. Theodore H. Laban, flight engineer; Sgt. David W. Pohl, gunner. (U.S. Air Force photo)