Oral History Interview with Richard Cole, August 8, 2000

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents and oral interview with Richard E. Cole. Cole was born 7 September 1915 in Dayton, Ohio. In 1940 he enlisted in the Army Air Corps and received his commission in 1941. He was then assigned to the 17th Bomb Group. In 1942 he volunteered for a mission and tells of being assigned as co-pilot to Colonel James Doolittle. Cole mentions the specialized training the volunteers received, being aboard the USS Hornet (CV-8), the bombing mission over Tokyo, and the subsequent bail-out over China. He relates his experience of reuniting with his crew members and meeting Madam Chiang Kai-Shek and John Birch, the liaison officer between the United States Military and the Chinese forces. Cole then was assigned to the 11th Bomb Squadron and flew bombing missions over China. He also mentions flying transport planes over the Himalayas, joining the 1st Air Commando Group, and subsequent military assignments. Cole retired after 26 years of service