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General ‘Jimmy’ Doolittle’s lifetime spanned the
entire era of aviation from the Wright Brothers’ first flight,
to astronauts landings on the moon. An Army Air Service pilot
at 17, he took to dare-devil stunt-flying, air racing, and record
breaking. With a Doctorate in aeronautical sciences, he helped
pioneer instrument flying, and the development of high-octane
aviation fuel. Following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor,
he masterminded and led the historic attack on Tokyo, for which
he was awarded the Medal of Honor. Promoted to General, he commanded
the air war over Italy and North Africa, later taking command
of the entire US Eighth Air Force in Europe. In a lifetime packed
with adventure, ‘Jimmy’ Doolittle was truly one of
the 20th Century’s great heroes. |