January 31, 201312 yr Never met him in person. Via e-mail, however, he couldn't have been nicer and more helpful to a novice writer like me some years ago. Willingly gave some TTPs regarding the publishing and aviation-writing game. Godspeed and thanks.
February 1, 201312 yr Hacker, thanks for posting that. I went through 3rd Lieutenant's program June or July 1984 with the AT-38's there. I know his name from somewhere, and am guessing this might be the place.
February 1, 201312 yr Ras is one of the "featured" LT's seen returning from his 100th North Vietnam F-105 mission in the USAF documentary "There is a Way". I was looking for the Bat Bird in that video... I didn't see it. But, Godspeed, Sir... May there always be hubcaps to steal! Your life and your work has affected a lot of folks in a good way (a few N. Vietnamese notwithstanding!). Edited February 1, 201312 yr by Earle P
February 1, 201312 yr It's a miracle he made Major with that mustache. Had he had the chance, what do you suppose he'd tell the Chief of Staff and TSgt Smith about banning songbooks? Edited February 1, 201312 yr by Huggyu2
February 1, 201312 yr It's a miracle he made Major with that mustache. Had he had the chance, what do you suppose he'd tell the Chief of Staff and TSgt Smith about banning songbooks?
February 1, 201312 yr Raz was a great dude. I'm lucky to have met him 9 yrs ago, and glad to have shared a drink or two with him over the years. Godspeed and thanks for everything you've done for this country.
February 1, 201312 yr I was looking for the Bat Bird in that video... I didn't see it. But, Godspeed, Sir... May there always be hubcaps to steal! Your life and your work has affected a lot of folks in a good way (a few N. Vietnamese notwithstanding!). Great watch. Anyone know where that 100 mission plaque ended up (around 3:15)? ATIS
February 1, 201312 yr It's a miracle he made Major with that mustache. Had he had the chance, what do you suppose he'd tell the Chief of Staff and TSgt Smith about banning songbooks? I think the most important tribute any of us in the AF can make to men like Raz and of the AF's Vietnam warrior generation is to not allow the heritage they made (and which they carried on from the warriors who had gone before them) to die on the vine because of political correctness. I have a collection of about 60 years' worth of USAF songbooks, going all the way back to Korea. Warriors singing obscene songs -- despite what some might have you believe to further their own agendas -- is most certainly not some kind of recently-manufactured-invented heritage. Turns out, when warriors came back from risking their pink butts in MiG alley and killing enemies to freedom, they liked to unwind by drinking, smoking, and singing off-color songs. Edited February 1, 201312 yr by Hacker
February 2, 201312 yr I read all of his books as a kid and re-read them as a Lt. They never got old. I was friends with him on Facebook and he eloquently posted when I made Captain that the Lt teflon "Usually it doesn't wear off, it gets chewed off by senior Captains." True words. As it was stated before, he was real down to earth and a true warrior. I'll be drinking in his honor. Edited February 2, 201312 yr by Right Seat Driver
February 6, 201312 yr They will need an additional casket to house his brass balls. Godspeed sir. Yours is a dying breed.
February 6, 201312 yr A warrior poet who will be missed. Thoroughly enjoyed his books and blog postings.
March 1, 201312 yr https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/02/27/doolittle-raider-dies/1952867/ Only four Raiders left. Him him.
March 1, 201312 yr Him, him. (Edit: And yes I am aware this is not a photo from the actual raid) Edited March 1, 201312 yr by StoleIt
March 1, 201312 yr Was an escort at their reunion dinner this year in OH. Great bunch with great families. 1 more goblet upside down. ETA- the event this April in FL is to be the final reunion. RIP and tailwinds Tom Griffin. Edited March 4, 201312 yr by moosepileit
March 3, 201312 yr Wow, Doolittle's Copilot is still chugging along. God Bless him! RIP Tom Griffin! I sat across the table from him at my UPT graduation dinner. A very humble gentleman and an honor for me to have met him.
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