Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas), Rob Portman (R-Ohio), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), John Cornyn (R-Texas), and Ted Cruz (R-Texas) introduced legislation that calls for the posthumous promotion of Dayton, Ohio native Lieutenant Colonel (Lt. Col.) Richard E. Cole. This bipartisan legislation also recognizes the accomplishments, sacrifices, and legacy of Lt. Col. Cole, the last of the living Doolittle Raiders until he passed away earlier this year at the age 103. The Doolittle Raiders consisted of 80 U.S. military volunteers, commanded by Lt. Col. James Doolittle, who led the first strike on mainland Japan in World War II. The attack bolstered morale back home and changed the tide of the war in the Pacific. Lt. Col. Cole served valiantly as Lt. Col. James Doolittle’s co-pilot and together they led the Squadron of 16 Army Air Force bombers from the U.S.S. Hornet to Tokyo.

“The Doolittle Raiders volunteered for an uncertain and hazardous mission to strike back against the enemy after Pearl Harbor. Their daring raid rallied our nation for a prolonged war and showed the world that America couldn’t be cowed even by a devastating attack. The raiders knew their mission could be a one-way trip. They chose to go anyway, and so are worthy of our honor and gratitude,” said Cotton.     MORE