190418-F-JM042-1641

A piano burns at Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., April 18, 2019, in memory of retired Lt. Col. Richard “Dick” E. Cole, a B-25 Mitchell pilot who died on April 9. Cole was the last surviving member of the Dolittle Raid – a bombing mission over Japan during World War II. Cole’s accomplishments were celebrated at Ellsworth AFB on the 77th anniversary of the Raid. Piano burning is a long-standing tradition the military performs to say goodbye to a comrade who has died. It is not only a solemn occasion but also a celebration of a service member’s life. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Thomas Karol)

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190418-F-JM042-0719

Craig Nelson, an author, talks about the Doolittle Raid and how it changed the war and perhaps the U.S. during an event at Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., April 18, 2018. In the midst of Word War II, the Raid forced Japan to realize that the U.S. was able to reach them with bombers and threaten their homeland. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Thomas Karol)

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190418-F-JM042-0992

A B-25 Mitchell takes off from the flight line at Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., April 18, 2019. The B-25 was flown April 18, 1942, during the Doolittle Raid – a World War II operation to bomb Japan. The mission was the United States’ response to the attack on Pearl Harbor in Honolulu on Dec. 7, 1941. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Thomas Karol)

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190418-F-JM042-0999

A B-25 Mitchell takes off from the flight line at Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., April 18, 2019. The B-25 was flown April 18, 1942, during the Doolittle Raid – a World War II operation to bomb Japan. The mission was the United States’ response to the attack on Pearl Harbor in Honolulu on Dec. 7, 1941. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Thomas Karol)

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190418-F-JM042-1519

Col. John Edwards, the commander of the 28th Bomb Wing, speaks during a piano burn April 18, 2018, at Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., in honor of retired Lt. Col. Richard “Dick” E. Cole, who died on April 9. Cole was the last survivor of the Dolittle Raid, a 1942 bombing mission over Japan during World War II. The raid was a retaliatory effort following Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor, Honolulu, in 1941. Edwards talked about the significance of the raid and how happy he is to see that Airmen on base are carrying on the work they started. (U.S Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Thomas Karol)

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190418-F-JM042-0175

A B-25 Mitchell is open for base members to view as the aircraft was put on static display by the Pride Hangar at Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., April 18, 2019, as part of an event commemorating the 77th anniversary of the Doolittle Raid. The B-25 took part in a U.S. retaliatory mission against Japan April 19, 1942, following the attack on Pearl Harbor, Honolulu, in 1941. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Thomas Karol)

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190418-F-JM042-0376

A B-25 Mitchell is displayed by the Pride Hangar at Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., April 18, 2019, as part of an event commemorating the 77th anniversary of the Doolittle Raid. The B-25 took part in a U.S. retaliatory mission against Japan April 19, 1942, following the attack on Pearl Harbor, Honolulu, in 1941. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Thomas Karol)

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190418-F-JM042-0700

Col. John Edwards, the 28th Bomb Wing commander, gives opening remarks at the start of the 77th Anniversary of the Doolittle Raid heritage event at Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., April 18, 2019. Three of the squadrons that participated in the Doolittle Raid are based out of Ellsworth AFB, making it an ideal location for the anniversary of the Raid. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Thomas Karol)

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Ellsworth commemorates the 77th anniversary of the Doolittle Raid

Published April 3, 2019
By Airman 1st Class Thomas Karol
28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs

ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE, S.D --

Ellsworth Air Force Base hosted the 77th Anniversary of the Doolittle Raid. Static displays of a B-1 Bomber and a B-25 Bomber were viewed by base members and their families. Participants also heard from Col. John Edwards, the commander of the 28th Bomb Wing and Craig Nelson, who wrote a book about the Doolittle Raid and its significance. Spectators also watched a B-25 Bomber, the same bomber used in Doolittle’s Raid, take off from the flight line on base.

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