James Harold Doolittle (1896 - 1993)

Born 14 Dec 1896 in Alameda, California, United States

Ancestors

Descendants

Died 27 Sep 1993 at age 96 in Pebble Beach, Monterey, California, United States

Profile managers: Laurie Wentz [send private message], Debra Kelley [send private message], and Scott Little [send private message]

Biography

Jimmy Doolittle is notable. Join: Notables Project Discuss: notables

Jimmy Doolittle was awarded the Medal of Honor.

Doolittle was born in Alameda, California. His parents were Frank Henry Doolittle and Rosa (Rose) Cerenah Shephard.

James Doolittle was the son of an adventurer, so it is natural that he himself would have an adventurous nature. Growing up in the harsh climate of Nome were he built a reputation as a tough boxer, or studying hard in the Los Angeles high school he attended before enlisting in the Flying Cadets, Doolittle was a force of energy and adventure.

Doolittle married Josephine "Joe" E. Daniels on December 24, 1917. They would remain married for over 70 years when Josephine Doolittle died in 1988.The couple had two sons. Both would grow up to become military men specializing in aviation.

After serving as a flying instructor during WWI, Doolittle went back to school and earned degrees in special engineering. Continuing his education, he would eventually receive his doctorate of science degree in Aeronautics. This specialty, rate at the time, would lead to a successful career both in the military and civilian world of aeronautics. Doolittle served as brigadier general, major and lieutenant general in WWII.

During the Second World War he would receive the Medal of Honor, the first of many, many honors he would receive in his distinguished career. The Doolittle Raid, the US retaliation of the attack on Pearl Harbor, bears the name of its brilliant Strategist. The history and men of this attack from the USS Hornet is one of the most inspirational stories of bravery I've ever heard.

James Doolittle pioneered many aeronautic feats, and is perhaps the most well known aviation general of our time. From the development of fog-equipment to tactics operations, James Doolittle devoted his life to improving the field of military aviation. In 1985 he would receive the four-star general rank.

James H. "Jimmy" Doolittle died at the age of 96 in Pebble Beach, California on September 27, 1993.

His funeral account is one that characterized his life in the military and the way he lead. His surviving colleagues were all in attendance, and as the bombers he made so many improvements to fly over it is said there wasn’t a dry eye at the cemetery.

General James (Jimmy) Doolittle was laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia, next to his wife.

Birth

Date: 14 DEC 1896

Place: Alameda CA

Death

Date: 27 SEP 1993

Place: Pebble Beach CA

Sources

• Wikipedia:Jimmy_Doolittle

• http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?opPED&db83152&id=I00089

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