It may only be fitting that Cole – the last surviving Doolittle Raider – will be remembered 77 years to the day of those strikes at a memorial service Thursday at Hangar 41 at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph. The remembrance begins at 3 p.m.. and is not open to the public.
Cole passed away April 9 in San Antonio at the age of 103
Japan would retaliate for the raid during the Battle of Midway.
In addition to Cole’s family and friends, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Goldfein and Secretary Heather Wilson are expected to attend the ceremony.
"There's another hole in our formation," Goldfein said when he announced Cole’s death. "Our last remaining Doolittle Raider has slipped the surly bonds of Earth. He is now reunited with his fellow Raiders. And what a reunion they must be having."
Richard Cole, last WWII Doolittle Raider, dies at 103
Hundreds of Airmen will line the entrance to JBSA-Randolph to salute the family as they enter the base. The service will also include a flyby and missing man formation. Several static aircraft will also be displayed.
Cole’s military decorations include the Distinguished Flying Cross with two Oak Leaf Clusters; Air Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster; Bronze Star; and Air Force Commendation Medal.
He will be laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery.