James Doolittle Facts & Worksheets

James “Jimmy” Doolittle was an American general and aviator known as one of the greatest aviation pioneers of the 1920s and 1930s. During his time as a general in the U.S. Air Force, Jimmy Doolittle led an air raid on Japan four months after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1942, for which he received the Medal of Honor. The raid has since been called the Doolittle Raid in his honor.

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Key Facts & Information

EARLY LIFE AND EDUCATION

• James Harold “Jimmy” Doolittle was born on December 14, 1896, in Alameda, California.
• He was born in California but spent much of his youth in the city of Nome in western Alaska.
• His father was a gold prospector and carpenter named Frank Henry, and his mother was Rosa Cerenah née Shephard.
• Jimmy returned to California with his mother and left his father in Alaska.
• It was in Los Angeles, where he attended high school.
• From 1914 to 1916, Jimmy Doolittle studied at Los Angeles Junior College; he then studied courses for a year at the University of California at Berkeley’s School of Mines.
• He joined the Theta Kappa Nu fraternity while in the university.
• In October 1917, Jimmy took a leave of absence to enlist in the army during World War I.

TIME IN THE MILITARY

• Jimmy underwent training at the University of California School of Military Aeronautics located at Rockwell Field, California. 
• Subsequently, on March 11, 1918, he received a commission as a second lieutenant in the Aviation Section of the Signal Corps.
• He soon began flying solo trips as a flying cadet of the U.S. Army Signal Corps Reserve.
• He later served as a flight leader and gunnery instructor. 
• He wanted to be transferred to the European theater but was refused.
• Alternatively, he worked at Kelly Field in San Antonio, Texas.
• After the war, he advanced to the rank of first lieutenant in 1920 and pursued studies at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
• In 1922, he achieved the historic feat of being the first pilot to complete a coast-to-coast flight in under 24 hours, covering the distance from Florida to California with only one stop. 
• Following this accomplishment, he was assigned by the army to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he earned both master’s and doctoral degrees in aeronautical engineering. 
• In 1925, he successfully earned a doctoral degree in advanced engineering from the institute.
• Throughout the remainder of the 1920s, he served as a test pilot for both military and civilian aircraft, setting records in air races and contributing to developing instruments that enabled pilots to navigate in whiteout conditions. 
• In 1930, he left the military to pursue higher-paying opportunities at the Shell Oil Company, advocating the adoption of advanced aviation fuel.

THE DOOLITTLE RAID

• Following the devastating surprise attack on Pearl Harbor by the Japanese in December 1941, the need for a morale-boosting response became apparent.
• Upon resuming full-time military service in 1940, Doolittle continued his role as a test pilot until January 1942, when General Henry H. Arnold called upon him to lead a raid on the Japanese mainland. 
• Japan’s defensive perimeter in the Pacific made it impervious to carrier-based attacks. 
• Doolittle devised a plan to launch B-25 bombers. Sixteen B-25 bombers were equipped with increased fuel capacity and loaded onto the USS Hornet aircraft carrier. 
• Initially planned to target five major cities, the mission was expedited due to the sudden detection of the Hornet. 
• Under the leadership of Doolittle, the planes, contending with storms and anti-aircraft fire, dropped four bombs each on Tokyo, striking industrial facilities and a light cruiser. 
• Civilian areas were also hit, resulting in 50 deaths and 400 injuries. 
• This operation, known as the Doolittle Raid, compelled the planes, operated by the Doolittle Raiders, to face a critical fuel shortage, forcing them to head towards China. 
• Despite the original plan to land in areas controlled by Chinese Nationalists, the planes, running out of fuel, had most crews parachute to safety. 
• Assisted by local Chinese civilians, they avoided capture and reached Chinese Nationalist-controlled regions. 
• One crew landed in Vladivostok and was interned by the Soviets. 
• Tragically, three crew members died in the crashes, and eight were captured by the Japanese.

IMPACT OF THE DOOLITTLE RAID

• While the physical damage inflicted was modest, the Doolittle Raid had a profound psychological impact, revealing Japan’s vulnerability to air attacks and boosting morale in the aftermath of Pearl Harbor. 
• This raid influenced Japanese strategic decisions, redirecting resources for home defense and shaping the course of the Pacific War. 
• The Doolittle Raid stands as a symbol of American resourcefulness, bravery, and resolve during a challenging phase of World War II.

AFTERMATH OF THE RAID

• Jimmy Doolittle received the Congressional Medal of Honor and was elevated two ranks to brigadier general despite having concerns about facing a court-martial for not hitting his intended targets.

POST-WAR WORK

• On May 10, 1946, Jimmy transitioned to inactive reserve status as a lieutenant general and resumed his role at Shell Oil, initially as a vice president and later as a director. 
• He held the distinction of being the highest-ranking reserve officer to contribute to the United States Armed Forces during World War II.
• In March 1951, he assumed the role of a special assistant to the Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force, focusing on scientific matters as a civilian, mainly contributing to developing Air Force ballistic missile and space programs.
• His service in the Air Force concluded on February 28, 1959, upon retirement. 
• Despite this, he remained dedicated to serving his country, taking on the role of chairman of the board at Space Technology Laboratories. 
• Additionally, in 1947, he played a pivotal role in organizing the U.S. Air Force Association and served as its first president.
• Jimmy assumed various command roles in North Africa and Europe, eventually leading the formidable Eighth Air Force, comprising 42,000 combat aircraft. 
• He innovated U.S. bomber escort tactics, enabling fighters to engage their German counterparts more effectively. 
• Jimmy Doolittle’s lasting impact on U.S. policy was reflected in a classified 1954 report on covert operations for Dwight Eisenhower, asserting that “acceptable norms of human conduct do not apply” in Cold War espionage.

FINAL YEARS

• Retiring as a lieutenant general in 1959, he resumed an executive position at Shell Oil. 
• In 1985, Ronald Reagan elevated Jimmy to a full four-star general. 
• He passed away on September 27, 1993, at age 96.
• The cause of his death was natural, attributed to a stroke.

James Doolittle Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about James Doolittle across 26 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about James Doolittle. During his time as a general in the U.S. Air Force, Jimmy Doolittle led an air raid on Japan four months after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1942, for which he received the Medal of Honor. The raid has since been called the Doolittle Raid in his honor.

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

1. James Doolittle Facts
2. A Little About Doolittle
3. Linked Vocabulary
4. Fake to Fact
5. Military Accomplishments
6. Raid Timeline
7. Learning From Jimmy
8. Post-war Posts
9. Aviation Pioneers
10. Legacy and Impact
11. Other War Events

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is James Doolittle?

James Doolittle, full name General James Harold Doolittle, was an American military aviator and aviation pioneer. Born on December 14, 1896, he played a crucial role in the development of aviation and had a distinguished military career.

What is James Doolittle best known for?

General James Doolittle is best known for leading the famous “Doolittle Raid” during World War II. In April 1942, he led a group of sixteen B-25 bombers on a daring air raid over Tokyo and other Japanese cities, providing a much-needed morale boost to the United States in the early stages of the war.

What were James Doolittle’s contributions to aviation?

Doolittle made significant contributions to aviation, both as a military officer and a civilian. He was a pioneering aviator and set several records, including being the first to complete a transcontinental flight in under 24 hours. Doolittle also made advancements in instrument flying and helped develop the artificial horizon and directional gyroscope.

What was Doolittle’s role in World War II?

During World War II, General Doolittle served in various capacities. Apart from leading the Doolittle Raid, he played a key role in planning and organizing air operations in the Pacific Theater. Later in the war, he commanded the Eighth Air Force in Europe and was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant General.

What honors and awards did James Doolittle receive?

James Doolittle received numerous honors and awards for his contributions to aviation and military service. Some of the notable awards include the Medal of Honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and the Distinguished Service Medal. Additionally, he was promoted to the rank of General in the U.S. Army Air Forces and later promoted to the rank of General in the U.S. Air Force when it became a separate branch of the military.

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