Have You Read? Dick Cole’s War: Doolittle Raider, Hump Pilot, Air Commando

Dennis R. Okerstrom

Writers tried for years to get retired Lieutenant Colonel Dick Cole—who’s best known for being Lieutenant Colonel Jimmy Doolittle’s co-pilot during the raid of Tokyo on April 18, 1942—to tell his story. But he consistently resisted, saying he was “just doing his job.” Writer Dennis Okerstrom pointed out that Cole—the last surviving member of the Doolittle Raiders who is now 102 years old—should tell this story for those who could not, and that changed Cole’s mind.

In addition to numerous personal interviews, Okerstrom was given access to Cole’s letters, logbooks, and friends. First printed in 2015, Dick Cole’s War is a well-written, fascinating story about the amazing World War II experiences of this humble, talented, and lucky pilot.

The book begins with the Japan raid saga and the fortunate survival of the whole crew. Cole stayed in theater and flew “the Hump” mission for a year, mostly in nonturbocharged C-47s that could barely reach 14,000 feet in areas with mountains above 20,000 feet. The route was through “the worst flying weather in the world” with no radar, no navaids, and no escort in temperatures up to 142 degrees, monsoons, and winds exceeding 100 miles per hour. After a rotation home, Cole volunteered for a year of dangerous Air Commando duty, flying cargo and pulling gliders at night from India to Burma, often landing on short jungle strips created earlier that same day.

Anyone interested in World War II, aviation, or just a great story of courageous men in perilous times will enjoy this read.—Capt. Baron Shuler (Delta, Ret.)

This article was originally published in the September 2018 issue of Air Line Pilot.