DAVID THATCHER

Описание: Yesterday, June 22, 2016 , David Jonathan Thatcher, an authentic American hero, died in Missoula, Montana. David was the engineer/gunner on Crew #7 of the Doolittle Raid on Japan, April 18, 1942. The Raid was the first retaliatory airstrike on Japan, following the Pearl Harbor attack of December 7, 1941. After dropping its bombs on Tokyo, David’s B-25, “Ruptured Duck," crash landed in the sea, just off an island on China’s east coast. The injuries to its five-man crew were so severe that David was the only one able to walk. Jimmy Doolittle, who led the Raid, told Corporal Thatcher’s parents “… all the plane’s crew were saved from either capture or death as a result of his initiative and courage in assuming responsibility and in tending the wounded himself, day and night.” For his actions, David Thatcher was awarded the Silver Star for valor.
The story of David’s crew and his heroism was told in the Academy Award-winning movie, “Thirty-Seconds Over Tokyo”. His part was played by Robert Walker. It was Sleeping Dog Productions’ honor to meet David Thatcher and to interview him for a series we co-produced with Military Channel in 2010, “Missions That Changed the War” featuring Gary Sinise. Here is a short clip from that interview.
Our deepest condolences to David’s family and to his extended “Doolittle Raider family”. David’s passing leaves Lt. Colonel Richard Cole, Jimmy Doolittle’s co-pilot , the last living Raider. Colonel Cole is 101 years old. May the gallant service and sacrifice of these brave men never be forgotten.