The Descriptive Finding Guide for General James H. Doolittle Personal Papers SDASM.SC.10038
Alan Renga
San Diego Air and Space Museum Library and Archives
12/03/2014
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
San Diego Air and Space Museum Library and Archives
Title: General James H. Doolittle Personal Papers
Identifier/Call Number: SDASM.SC.10038
Physical Description:
0.82 Cubic Feet
2 Boxes
Date (inclusive): 1896-1993
Abstract: Gen. James H. “Jimmy” Doolittle was a profound presence in aviation: from his U.S. Army Air Corps service to his groundbreaking
instrument-only flight to leading of the Doolittle Raid during World War II.
The collection is open to researchers by appointment.
Some copyright may be reserved. Consult with the library director for more information.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The materials in this Collection were donated to the San Diego Air and Space Museum.
[Item], [Filing Unit], [Series Title], [Subgroups], [Record Group Title and Number], [Repository “San Diego Air & Space Museum
Library & Archives”]
Gen. James H. “Jimmy” Doolittle was a profound presence in aviation: from his U.S. Army Air Corps service to his groundbreaking
instrument-only flight to leading of the Doolittle Raid during World War II. Born in Alameda California., December 14, 1896
Jimmy Doolittle attended University of California Berkeley before joining the U.S. Army Signal Corp Reserves on campus. His
flight-training took place at Rockwell Field, California. During the remainder of World War I, Doolittle served as a flight
instructor. After the war, he became the first pilot to fly across the country in less than 24 hours. Aided for the Daniel
Guggenheim Fund for the Promotion of Aeronautics, INC, he helped develop technology for instrument-only flying. In 1929 Doolittle
made the first known blind flight.
After joining Shell Oil Company as head of the aviation department in 1930. Doolittle continued to set air speed records.
Doolittle returned to active service in 1940, working with large auto manufacturers to convert the facilities for aircraft
production. After Pearl Harbor, Doolittle planned an innovative air raid on the Japanese mainland using land-based bombers
launched from an aircraft carrier. The raid was executed April 18, 1942. Although the damage to the Japanese war effort was
minimal, the raid served as a morale-booster by proving Japan was not isolated from attack. Lt. Colonel Doolittle was awarded
the Medal of Honor and promoted to the rank of General. By September 1942, Doolittle was assigned command of the Twelfth Air
Force. Before the war ended, he would also command the Fifteenth Air Force.
Post war, Doolittle continued to serve as an advisor on many fronts, serving as a scientific advisor, and conducting a study
of the Central Intelligence Agency. Doolittle received many honors including the Presidential Medal of Freedom, three Distinguished
Flying Crosses and the Bronze Star.
Doolittle died September 27, 1993 in Pebble Beach, California and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
Related SDASM Resources:
General James H. “Jimmy” Doolittle, I Could Never Be So Lucky Again, (New York: Bantam, 1991)
Lowell Thomas and Edward Jablonski, Doolittle A Biography, (Garden City, New York: Doubleday and Company, 1976)
Carroll V. Glines, Jimmy Doolittle: Daredevil, Aviator and Scientist, (New York: Macmillan, 1972)
https://flic.kr/s/aHsjU5esTM
Related Research Institutions:
The General James H “Jimmy” Doolittle Collection at the University of Texas at Dallas: http://www.utdallas.edu/library/specialcollections/hac/doolittle/index.html
Standford University, Stanford California, the Hoover Institution Library and Archives: the Whit Collins photograph collection.
Matt Mahoney, “Flying Blind,” MIT Technology Review http://www.technologyreview.com/article/508281/flying-blind/
The collection is housed in two, 5 x 15 boxes. The collection contains a few personal items, such as a guest book from the
Doolittle home, but is mostly comprised of newspaper clippings and photocopies. The museum’s bio file on Doolittle is in this
collection. The materials are arranged in the by subject such as career, honors, etc. Two primary subjects covered are Doolittle’s
research on instrument flying and the Tokyo Raid.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Tokyo (Japan) -- History -- Bombardment, 1942
United States. Air Force. Air Force, 8th
Granville Brothers Gee Bee
World War, 1939-1945
North American B-25 Mitchell
Doolittle, James
Box 01
Folder 01 – SDASM Bio File
Physical Description: Mostly news clippings about Doolittle at various stages of life. Photocopy of an honor given to Doolittle in 1969 by Chang
Kai-shek. Photocopies of photos of the Consolidated NY-2, and instrument panel, flown by Doolittle to set a record for the
flying blind, first instrument-only flight and landing. Part of the research funded by the Daniel Guggenheim Fund for the
Promotion of Aeronautics, INC.
Folder 02 – Josephine Doolittle
Physical Description: Mostly news clippings about Mr. & Mrs. Doolittle in later years. In 1957, Mrs. Doolittle was awarded the Frank M. Hawks Memorial
Award from American Legion Air Service Post 501. Folder contains a congratulatory telegram from Jaqueline Cochran. Folder
also contains a copy of a 1919 memo from the headquarters of the flying school at Kelly Field to 2nd Lieut. James Doolittle.
He was being restricted to post for 30 days as punishment for stunt flying a DeHaviland.
Folder 03 – Career
Physical Description: Mostly news clippings about various stages of Doolittle’s career. Photocopy of a letter written by Doolittle during his time
with the Guggenheim Fund for the Promotion of Aeronautics. The letter is to Reuben H. Fleet and concerns the test of radio
equipment for instrument flying and suggested changes to the design of the NY-2 Husky. An envelope, without return address,
with a piece of a parachute used by Doolittle to bail out of an aircraft. Authenticity of item unverified. Photocopy of 1923
Army pay voucher signed by Doolittle.
Folder 06 – Tokyo Raid
Physical Description: Mostly news clippings making historical reference to the 1942 Doolittle Raid on Tokyo. 1956–1990. Includes one press release
that seems to be original from time of Doolittle’s assignment to command the Eighth Air Force in England in 1944. A commemorative
publication by Westinghouse. Three photographs: Doolittle receiving the Medal of Honor from President Roosevelt, North American
B-25 bombers onboard the USS Hornet (CV-8), prior to the raid. North American B-25 bomber launching from the USS Hornet (CV-8).
Folder 10 – Publicity