Doolittle Raider Tom Griffin Passes

The Air Force Association would like to express our sincere condolences on the recent passing of Doolittle Raider Tom Griffin. We had the honor of knowing him and the greatest respect for his role in the daring raid over Tokyo during World War II. The Doolittle Raiders were formed as part of a secret mission in response to the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Their plan was to bomb targets in Tokyo and proceed to China, their designated rendezvous location, for safe landing.

In April 1942, four months after the devastating attack on Pearl Harbor that launched the United States into World War II, 16 B-25 Mitchell bombers took off from the USS Hornet headed for Japan. Retired Major Griffin was a navigator on B-25 No. 9 during the raid. The courage and determination illustrated by him and his fellow raiders will forever be remembered. In 2009, he was a recipient of AFA’s Lifetime Achievement Award, which recognizes not a single achievement, but a lifetime of work in the advancement of aerospace. Our deepest sympathy is with his family and friends. His service to our country should be an example for all of us.

Joseph Sutter presents retired Maj. Thomas Griffin and retired Lt. Col. Richard Cole the
Lifetime Achievement Award at the Air Force Anniversary Dinner, Sept 16, 2009.