Lt. Col. Dick Cole at the Air Force Armament Museum

Last Surviving Doolittle Raider to Cut Ribbon on

New Raider Exhibit at Air Force Armament Museum

                On Saturday, July 30, Lt. Col. Richard E. Cole, Gen. Jimmy Doolittle’s co-pilot on the famous Doolittle Raiders’ Tokyo Raid, will dedicate the newly remodeled Doolittle Raider’s exhibit at the Air Force Armament Museum, on Highway 85 (100 Museum Drive, Eglin Air Force Base). The exhibit features a copy of the Raiders’ Congressional Gold Medal that Lt Col Cole has donated to the Museum.

Please note:  Online ticket sales will be suspended at 4 pm on Friday, July 29.  After that time, tickets will be available at the event on a first-come, first-served basis. 

                “We are honored to host Col. Cole, who has become a treasured friend after his repeated visits to Fort Walton Beach, where he and his colleagues trained for the famous Doolittle Raid back in 1942,” said Ted Corcoran, President/CEO of the Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce.  “Several of our member businesses – Beach Community Bank, Image Printing and Digital Services, and the Doolittle Institute - immediately stepped in to sponsor this special event.”

                The AF Armament Museum doors will open at 8:30 am on Saturday, July 30. Some pre-ceremony activities/Raider videos will start at 9:00 am.  The ceremony agenda will begin at 9:30 am   Lt Gen Marshall “Brad” Webb, AFSOC Commander at Hurlburt Field, will be the featured speaker during the ceremony.

                At 100 years of age, Col. Cole is the last surviving member of the Doolittle Raiders crews. Unfortunately he will be unable to sign books or participate in a Meet n Greet with all attendees—as he has during his other visits to the museum. In an effort to raise funds for his Doolittle Raider Foundation, Lt Col Cole has agreed to meet personally with the holders of 74 VIP tickets ($100 each).  Each ticket holder will have a personal photo op with Col. Cole (your camera), and will receive a pre-signed copy of his biography, “Dick Cole’s War” and a pre-signed copy of “Payback Time,” the official B-25 print of the Raider Foundation. (The 74 commemorates the 74th Anniversary of the Raid). This will be on a first-come, first-served basis.  Advanced reservations HIGHLY recommended. 

                Dennis R. Okerstrom, author of "Dick Cole's War" and "Project 9 - The Birth of the Air Commandos in World War II" will be at this event along with Dr. Frank Goldstein, author of "The Last Reunion: A Salute to The Jimmy Doolittle Tokyo Raiders."  They will both be attending the July 30 dedication, and they will have their books for sale.

(Please Note:  Col. Cole will NOT be able to sign any autographs - nor chat with the general public.  Please respect his time and age and DO NOT BRING any items for his signature.)

                For more information, contact the Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce, 850-244-8191.