biography
| name: |
Doolittle, James (Harold)
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| sex:
| male
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| lived:
| (1896–1993)
|
| biography:
| Aviator, born in Alameda, California, USA. Commissioned in the Army Air Corps (1920), he pioneered instrument landing techniques as a test pilot during the 1920s, resigning from the regular service (1930) to join the Shell Oil Co as an executive. Pursuing his interest in aircraft development, he set a world speed record in 1932. Recalled to active duty in 1940, he led the famous 1942 attack on Tokyo and other Japanese cities by flying 16 B-25 bombers off the aircraft carrier USS Hornet, a daring operation that gave a terrific boost to morale on the home front. He commanded the 12th Air Force during the North Africa campaign (1942–3), the 15th Air Force in Italy (1943), and the 8th Air Force during the intensive bombing offensive against Germany (1944–5). After the war he returned to Shell, and was a vice-president and director of the company until his retirement in 1959. |
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