David Thatcher, one of the last two living heroes of James Doolittle’s daring World War II bombing raid over Tokyo, recently passed. The American Veterans Center sent the editors of The Horn News the following note on Corporal Thatcher, asking for help honoring him. We felt compelled to share.
Today, there is one less hero among us.
On April 18, 1942, sixteen Army B-25 bombers launched from the USS Hornet, toward mainland Japan, and a rendezvous with destiny. The four months prior had seen disaster after disaster for the United States military. Caught off guard at Pearl Harbor, American forces in the Pacific were overwhelmed in a string of defeats on both land and sea. Morale plummeted. Many at home feared the war could be lost. America needed something – anything – to inspire hope.
That hope came in the form of 80 men, led by a legendary commander – Jimmy Doolittle. For months, Doolittle and his men trained to accomplish a seemingly impossible task – launch Army bombers from an aircraft carrier, attack the Japanese home islands, then race to safety in China. Few expected the mission could succeed, most especially the Japanese high command, which had begun to feel invincible.
Among the 80 men aboard Doolittle’s 16 bombers that day was the 20-year-old Engineer-Gunner on Plane #7, then-Corporal David J. Thatcher. Manning his .50-caliber guns aboard his bomber, nicknamed the Ruptured Duck, he knew full well that the odds were likely this could be a one-way mission. But he went anyway.
The Ruptured Duck made a course for Japan, where it encountered sporadic enemy fire, and dropped its bombs over military targets in Tokyo. Racing toward safety in China, the plane was running low on fuel as it approached the coast during a nighttime rainstorm. Knowing there was no way the plane could reach its intended landing base, its pilot – Ted Lawson – attempted to land along the beach of an island off the coast of China.
During the landing, the plane crashed into the surf and began to sink, upside down. David Thatcher, briefly knocked unconscious in the crash, escaped through an emergency hatch. The pilot, co-pilot, navigator, and bombardier were all severely wounded. Thatcher – the only one able to walk – tended to their wounds. Joining with friendly Chinese peasants and guerrilla fighters, Thatcher helped carry his comrades on a five-day trek to safety on the mainland, all along evading Japanese forces enraged by the surprise raid.
The entire crew of the Ruptured Duck owed their lives to the heroism of David Thatcher. He would be awarded the Silver Star for his valor that day. And the Doolittle Raiders – the 80 men who led the daring first attack on Japan during World War II – would become legends. They rallied a nation in desperate need of a boost in morale and caused the Japanese high command to move resources to defend the home islands, which would have a direct impact two months later at the epic Battle of Midway, the turning point of the war.
Staff Sergeant David J. Thatcher passed away on June 22, 2016, near his home in Missoula, Montana. Today, of the 80 Doolittle Raiders, only one still survives – Doolittle’s co-pilot, Lt. Col. Richard Cole.
The AVC was privileged to know SSgt. Thatcher, and interviewed him for our 2015 documentary, Doolittle’s Raiders: A Final Toast. We invite you to watch a segment of that interview and hear, first hand, from this soft-spoken Air Force legend.
David J. Thatcher embodied the very best of who we are as Americans. Dedicated to his comrades, and to his country, he answered the call when he was needed, then returned home to live a life of decency and honor. His is a legacy worth honoring, and remembering.
I hope his story will inspire you the way it has inspired me. Please take a moment to watch his story, then share with friends, family, and particularly young Americans as an example of what we should aspire to be.
Warmest Regards,
James C. Roberts
President, The American Veterans Center
To read more from The American Veterans Center or to donate to this important cause, click here.
A true hero.
Being a student of WWII and retired International Captain from Delta Air Lines I remembered the Doolittle Raid which was depicted in the movie,”Thirty Seconds over Tokyo, which was the true encounter. It was also depicted in the movie, “Pearl Harbor.”
This was quite a courageous endeavor which turned the tide for The United States. There was a bottle of Cognac that was supposed to be consumed when there were only one survivor remaining, however it was utilized last year when there were only two remaining. David Thatcher was portrayed by Robert Walker in the movie.
God Bless these Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines Rest in Peace
A TRUE HERO THAT WENT ABOVE AND BEYOND.
My cousin: Dean Hallmark was a pilot on that raid and was captured and executed by the Japs. Google “Dean Hallmark” for story.
Staff Sergeant (then Corporal) David Thatcher was the epitome of the kind of quiet American men and women that willingly crossed the seas during WW II to ultimately crush the axis of evil. Their selfless dedication and sacrifices for their country, their comrades in arms, and to Freedom for the people of the world is too largely unacknowledged by “modern” generations that do not seem to have much of a clue about the price that was paid so they can have what they have today. And BTW, belated thanks to those courageous Chinese that knew they were risking torture and death at the hands of the Japanese if they were caught or even suspected of assisting any of the 80 men that participated in this historic mission.
Did very many in Missoula even notice this true hero living quietly among them? Did they notice when he passed away last week? Has anyone besides Veterans and and their families that truly understand the risks and sacrifices of military service then and today even been made aware of his passing so they can honor him? I wonder.
No more unfortunately. Today’s Americans, at least many of us do not measure up to these heroes of yesteryear…science and technology advances and are unstoppable, but humanity is walking backwards towards ignorance, bias, hatred, and no real patriotism, unless one man can lead us back to what we used to be…I wonder, but know for certain that that corrupt family and money grabbers will not do it, they will sell their mothers for money and I am sure you know who I am talking about. I am a Korean veteran, and cry every time I see her hypocrite face on TV.
CPL Thatcher should have received the MOH in my opinion. Congress likely did not want to upstage then, Col Doolittle. Too bad, they all deserved recognition above and beyond the Call of Duty
Rest In Peace, Sir. You and your Crew are true Hero’s. You served our Country and I am thankful for your sacrifices. The United States is in crisis again and I pray God will keep America safe. We need brave men like you to ensure that it will.
David J. Thatcher you are now with Our Heavenly Father but not forgotten. May your soul rest in peace. There existed a special breed of courageous men during World War II and it continues today with our armed forces. I have always referred to them as GOD’S WARRIORS.
GOD BLESS EACH AND EVERYONE OF YOU.
A true hero, that no doubt has passed his final inspection. Condolences to the family. God bless Every One of these men for doing what was needed.
I was born in 1941 and my grandmother’s sister had her son who was a bombodear and he was shot down and dragged through the streets in japan and he never came home. We do not know what happened after he was dragged through the streets but I know now he was murdered My grandmother sister set a place for him at the dinner table every day and night. She lived in Phildelpha, PA and I used to visit her as I lived with my grandparents as my mother tried to kill me when I was born. I have never forgotten how much she loved her son.