I wasn't aware that the Doolittle Raiders were trained right here in Oregon. Man, we got everything here!
The link goes to the official Doolittle Raiders webpage, and is worth looking over.
Of particular note to me in reading their webpage was that the Japanese in several places aren't referred to as "the Japanese" but as "the enemy." Not tainted by the political correctness of today you see.
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| Pendleton Army Airfield |
At any rate, Oregon makes an excellent location for training on such a mission. One, because it was far enough away from a major population center so as to cut down the risk of the mission being discovered through espionage The other, it wasn't so remote as to overly draw attention to the operation/training, and they could fly to California and ship out from there.
When we arrived, the security level was such that we weren't allowed inside the base perimeter to see the memorial up close. I managed to take some pictures of it through the fence as well as some pictures of the airfield where their training took place.
You can see from the map it's just off 395/30/I-84 (not "THE 84" as Californians are want to say). The memorial is over on the west end of the base on the south side.
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| Lt. Col Doolittle's plane launching off the USS Hornet |
I learned additionally from the Raiders' page that, not only had they been discovered by an enemy fishing trawler that was out some 600 miles at sea and radioed to the Japanese that the Americans were there (which the U.S. Navy blew out of the water. Nice shooting boys) but that they had to either launch 150 miles earlier with the planes not having the fuel then to reach their destinations, or push the Army bombers over the side so they could bring the Navy fighters up on deck to protect the fleet against the enemy, who now knew they were there, and turn around and go home. They decided to launch. It was a great risk and sacrifice. I haven't done anything like the Doolittle raid, nor do I imagine I ever will. But I do know what it is like when your country calls for your service and you aren't sure if you're going to make it back or not and how you weigh the value of your life, your service, your mission and just have...
that moment. America is worth fighting for and worth defending. These men have long been heroes of mine. It was breathtaking to me to finally see where it began and stand somewhere they had also stood, and to admire their sacrifice, courage, dedication and innovation for their country - for freedom. For us.
If you're in Pendleton, Oregon - swing by and take a look. It isn't that far off the main track. If you're a student of military history like I am, it is worth the trip to see in person.
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| Old Entrance |
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| B25 Static Display & Memorial |
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| The lines on a B25 are just beautiful..... |
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| The airfield where training took place.... |
I wasn't aware that the Doolittle Raiders were trained right here in Oregon. Man, we got everything here!
I learned additionally from the Raiders' page that, not only had they been discovered by an enemy fishing trawler that was out some 600 miles at sea and radioed to the Japanese that the Americans were there (which the U.S. Navy blew out of the water. Nice shooting boys) but that they had to either launch 150 miles earlier with the planes not having the fuel then to reach their destinations, or push the Army bombers over the side so they could bring the Navy fighters up on deck to protect the fleet against the enemy, who now knew they were there, and turn around and go home. They decided to launch. It was a great risk and sacrifice. I haven't done anything like the Doolittle raid, nor do I imagine I ever will. But I do know what it is like when your country calls for your service and you aren't sure if you're going to make it back or not and how you weigh the value of your life, your service, your mission and just have...that moment. 
