Morale was running low in the United States after the attack on Pearl Harbor during WWII. To help reestablish American dominance, LTC James Doolittle was given the daring task of conducting a bombing raid on the Japanese homeland. With 16 modified B-25 bombers and no fighter support, the Doolittle raiders flew 2,250 miles dropping their bombs on target before crash landing in China and the Soviet Union.
The physical damage inflicted by the bombing was quickly repaired. However, the psychological effects were critical to turning the tide of the war by lifting American spirits and showing that the Japanese homeland was not invincible.
Fun Fact: LTC Doolittle thought he would be courtmartialed upon his return to the United States since he had lost all his aircraft. Instead, he was promoted two ranks to Brigadier General and awarded the Medal of Honor.
