James Harold Doolittle (1896-1993) was an American General and aviation pioneer. He made early coast-to-coast flights, earned a doctorate from M.I.T. in aeronautics, won many flying races and most significantly, helped develop instrument flying.
A flying instructor during World War I and later a Reserve officer in the United States Army Air Corps, Doolittle was recalled to active duty during World War II. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for personal valor and leadership as commander of the Doolittle Raid, a bold long-range retaliatory air raid on the Japanese main islands, on April 18, 1942, four months after the attack on Pearl Harbor. The attack was a major morale booster for the United States, and Doolittle was celebrated as a hero.
He was eventually promoted to Lieutenant general and commanded the Twelfth Air Force over North Africa, the Fifteenth Air Force over the Mediterranean, and the Eighth Air Force over Europe. After WWII he left the Air Force but remained active in many technical fields, and was eventually promoted to general (4-star) years after retirement.
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