Guide to the Doolittle Tokyo Raider Association Papers (1947
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Guide to the Doolittle Tokyo Raider Association Papers (1947 - ) 26 linear feet Accession Number: 54-06 Collection Number: H54-06 Collection Dates: 1931 - Bulk Dates: 1942 - 2005 Prepared by Thomas J. Allen CITATION: The Doolittle Tokyo Raiders Association Papers, Box number, Folder number, History of Aviation Collection, Special Collections Department, McDermott Library, The University of Texas at Dallas. Special Collections Department McDermott Library, The University of Texas at Dallas Contents Historical Sketch ................................................................................................................. 3 Sources ................................................................................................................................ 3 Additional Sources .............................................................................................................. 3 Series Description ............................................................................................................... 4 Scope and Content Note...................................................................................................... 5 Collection Note ................................................................................................................... 8 Provenance Statement ......................................................................................................... 8 Literary Rights Statement ................................................................................................... 8 2 Historical Sketch The Doolittle Tokyo Raiders Association was formed in the aftermath of Jimmy Doolittle’s epic raid on Japan on April 18, 1942. Shortly after end of World War II, Jimmy Doolittle called for all the surviving raiders to attend a celebration in Miami Beach. At this time it was decided that an annual reunion be held starting in 1947. Since then a reunion has been held every year (barring a few exceptions). As defined by the raiders themselves, the purpose of this reunion would be three fold: “to renew old friendships, to honor the memory of those who have passed on, and to participate in some activity which is of benefit to the nation, to the Air Force, to the community in which they meet” The reunion is held in April, on or around the 18th, the date of the Tokyo Raid. The reunions have been held in various cities located throughout the United States. One of the most important parts of a reunion is the Goblet Ceremony, which honors those raiders who have passed on. This is a solemn ceremony that involves commemorative goblets that were presented to the raiders by the city of Tucson, Arizona at the 1956 reunion. The Association also awards scholarships to students pursuing education in an aviation related field. Until the 1960’s the Association also gave an award that honored the Air Force unit with the best Traffic Safety Record, but this award has since been discontinued. A reunion generally will also include lectures and talks about the raid, chances for the public to meet and get autographs from the raiders, book signings, community activities, recreational opportunities, luncheons, fellowship, and a gala dinner/dance which caps off the reunion weekend. The Association will continue hold reunions as long as there are Raiders to attend them. Sources Doolittle Raider Tokyo Raiders Association Papers, Series I, Box 1, Folder 1, History of Aviation Collection, Special Collections Department, McDermott Library, The University of Texas at Dallas. Doolittle Tokyo Raiders Association Papers, Series IV, Box 1, Folder 3, History of Aviation Collection, Special Collections Department, McDermott Library, The University of Texas at Dallas. Additional Sources For more information about the Doolittle Raid, and Jimmy Doolittle consult the James H. Doolittle Papers, as well as the collections of individual raiders, in the custody of the History of Aviation Collection. 3 Additional information can be found in the books Doolittle’s Tokyo Raiders, and Four Came Home (Both by C.V. Glines), as well as I Could Never Be So Lucky Again: The Autobiography of Jimmy Doolittle (By Jimmy Doolittle and C.V. Glines). Series Description The Doolittle Tokyo Raiders Association Papers are arranged in 13 series Series I: Doolittle Tokyo Raider Biographies (1949 – ). 3 linear feet. 21 manuscript boxes. This series is arranged chronologically. It contains material related to the annual reunions held by The Doolittle Tokyo Raider Association. Series II: Doolittle Tokyo Raider Biographies (1943 – 2007). 3 linear feet. 6 manuscript boxes. This series is arranged alphabetically by Raider’s last name. It includes biographical sketches of the original Raiders, as well as those made Honorary Raiders. Series III: Doolittle Tokyo Raiders Association Business File (1963 - 1998). 2 linear feet. 4 manuscript boxes. This series is arranged topically. It is made up of information used by the Doolittle Tokyo Raiders Association in its business affairs. Series IV: Doolittle Tokyo Raiders Association Correspondence (1966 - 1998). 1 linear foot. 2 manuscript boxes. The first box of this series is arranged chronologically, the second box is arranged topically. It contains correspondence of The Doolittle Tokyo Raiders Association. Series V: Doolittle Raiders Association Scholarship Fund (1962-2006). .5 Linear Feet. 1 manuscript box. The series is arranged topically. It includes information about the various scholarships and endowments that belong to the Doolittle Tokyo Raiders Association. Series VI: Doolittle Raiders Individual Raider Activities (1986-1997). .5 linear feet. 1 manuscript box. The series is arranged topically. It is made up of reports of activities that individual Tokyo Raiders participated in. 4 Series VII: Doolittle Raiders Awards, Honors, and Dedications (1968-2007). .5 linear feet. 1 manuscript box. The series is arranged topically. It consists of information about awards and honors received by individual Tokyo Raiders. Series VIII: Doolittle Raid Artwork (1940-1997). .5 linear feet. 1 manuscript box. This series is arranged topically. It includes information about various artwork that has been produced in honor of the Doolittle Raid. Series IX: Doolittle Raid Books (1963-2007). 1 linear foot. 2 manuscript boxes. This series is arranged topically. It is made up of information about the various books written about the Doolittle Raid. Series X: Articles about the Doolittle Raid and Raiders (1931-2003). 1.5 linear feet. 3 manuscript boxes. This series is arranged chronologically, with items without dates placed at the end of the series. It contains articles written about Doolittle, The Raid, and the Tokyo Raiders. Series XI: Background and History of the Doolittle Raid (1942-1999). .5 linear feet. 1 manuscript box. This series is arranged topically. It includes general information about the Doolittle Raid on Japan. Series XII: Doolittle Raid Photographs (1942-1993). 1.5 linear feet. 3 manuscript boxes. This series is arranged topically, with photographs of the individual Raider crews arranged in crew number order. It is made up of photographs relating to the Doolittle Raid and Raiders. Series XIII: Oversized Material (1945-2005). 4 linear feet. 2 flat boxes. This series is arranged topically. It contains 3-demensional objects, memorabilia, and items to large to fit into another series. Scope and Content Note The Doolittle Tokyo Raiders Association is organized into thirteen series of material. 5 Series I: Doolittle Tokyo Raiders Association Reunion Files - 21 Boxes (1947- ) This series is made up of material about the annual reunions held by the Doolittle Raiders Association. The material is arranged chronically by the year of the reunion. Also included are proposals by locations to host the reunion. These are categorized by the year they proposed, not the year the reunion would occur. The items in this series include programs, itineraries, correspondence, pictures, press coverage, information about the host city, and other items generated by the reunion and its activities. Series II: Doolittle Tokyo Raider Biographies - 6 Boxes (1943 – 2007) This material includes biographies of the 80 men involved in the Doolittle Raid on Japan, as well as biographies of those deemed honorary raiders. The files are organized alphabetically by the raider’s last name, followed then by the honorary raiders. The items in this series include documents with biographical data, photographs, and articles about the raiders. Series III: Doolittle Tokyo Raiders Association Business Files - 4 Boxes (1963-1998) This series houses business files used by the Doolittle Raiders Association. It includes the articles of incorporation, minutes of executive board and board of directors meetings, business correspondence, activity reports, phone logs, and other items germane to the business needs of the Doolittle Raiders Association. Series IV: Doolittle Tokyo Raiders Association Correspondence - 2 Boxes (1966- 1998) This series contains correspondence between the Doolittle Raider Association and others. The first box contains general correspondence organized chronologically by date. The second box contains correspondence to and from specific individuals or recipients. Series V: Doolittle Tokyo Raiders Association Scholarship Fund - 1 Box (1962- 2006) This series holds material related to the scholarship fund overseen by the Doolittle Raiders. Scholarships form this fund are awarded at the reunions. Items in this series include information about the