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Two members of the Doolittle Tokyo Raiders, Lt. Col. Richard "Dick" Cole, of the retired US Air Force, seated at the front, and the retired Staff Sergeant, Sgt. David Thatcher, sitting left, poses for photos after handing a gold medal to Congress. Cole, the last surviving member of the unit, is dead. (AP Photo / Gary Landers, File)
(AP Photo / Gary Landers, File)
Lt. Col. Richard "Dick" Cole, of the retired Air Force, the last surviving member of the Doolittle Raiders of the Second World War, died Tuesday in Texas at the age of 103.
The president of the Doolittle Tokyo Raiders Association told the Air Force Times newspaper that Cole died in San Antonio Tuesday morning with his son and daughter at his side.
Cole, a native of Dayton, Ohio, was co-pilot of mission commander Jimmy Doolittle during the 1942 bombing, less than five months after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. The bold raid on Japan is supposed to give the United States a moral boost and help reverse the war in the Pacific.
"I think the bottom line was that you had to adopt a positive attitude," Cole said in September during the counter-luck mission. "I really did not care about that, it was our job and we knew what to expect."
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In 2015, the Raiders, including Cole, received the Congressional Gold Medal for their "outstanding heroism, value, talent, and service in the United States."
Cole parachuted to safety, and he and other Raiders were helped by Chinese supporters. But seven crew members died – three were killed during the mission; three others were captured and executed, and one died in captivity.
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In 2015, Cole's book on his service titled "Dick Cole's War: Doolittle Raider, Humpback Pilot, Air Commando (US Military Experience)" was published. The proceeds from this book will go to a scholarship fund on behalf of Doolittle for aviation students, according to Fox 13.
Acting Secretary of State Patrick Shanahan tweeted on Tuesday: "Our nation has lost a legend. Our thoughts are with the family of Lt. Col. Dick Cole, the last of the Doolittle Raiders, who died at the age of 103. He was a true pioneer and his legacy of selfless service continues in our airmen today and tomorrow. "
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A memorial service is planned at the San Antonio Common Base. Cole will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
Associated Press contributed to this report.
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