Lightning in the Sky

Originally published in 1943, this is a biography of Jimmy Doolittle (1896-1993), a highly decorated officer in the United States Army Air Corps who pioneered in all phases of aeronautical achievement and commanded the Doolittle Raid on Japan during World War II.

He became the first pilot to take the “blind” out of flying and complete the “outside loop”, set numerous speed records, and won many racing trophies. Promoted to lieutenant general, he was also awarded the Medal of Honor for his valor and leadership as commander of the Doolittle Raid, a bold long-range retaliatory air raid on the Japanese main islands weeks after the attack on Pearl Harbor. His Tokyo flight is widely regarded as one of the coups of the Second World War.

Doolittle also commanded the 12th Air Force over North Africa, the 15th Air Force over the Mediterranean, and the 8th Air Force over Europe.