National Museum of the Pacific War Receives Doolittle Raiders Book Today

Today, April 16th at 10:00 a.m. in the Nimitz Museum Grand Ballroom, the National Museum of the Pacific War will receive a book donation from a private individual, the book "Doolittle's Tokyo Raiders" by Carroll V. Glines. What makes this such an important donation is that the book holds 25 signatures from Doolittle Raiders. Colonel Dick Cole who was Lt. Colonel James Doolittle co-pilot on that famous mission and last surviving member of Crew 1 will be there to resign the book before it is handed over to the museum. This event is open to the public and all are encouraged to attend.

The book is being donated by Nick DeBerardinis from Houston whose father Lt. Col. Nicolas "Mike" DeBerardinis USAF (Ret.) originally got the signatures of the Raiders in the book. "He intimated to me, the importance that service to our country was the most valuable gift we are given and though I was an 'in-betweener,' I should do whatever I could to serve. The book became a reminder to me of that talk; from a father to a son, a patriot to a benefactor, a contributor to a grateful nation," said Nick when asked why the book held such importance to him.

Nick DeBerardinis chose the National Museum of the Pacific War as the recipient of the book not only because of the Doolittle exhibit displayed in the museum and the museums mission to preserve the history of WWII in the Pacific, but because of the proximity. "With such star power of America's greatest test for freedom emanating in such close proximity (McArthur in San Antonio, and Nimitz in Fredericksburg) it seemed an honorable location", Nick.

The Doolittle Raid (Tokyo Raid) was the first air raid to strike the Japanese home island. Not only was it retaliation for the attack on Pearl Harbor but it also was a morale boost for the American people. It also showed that Japan itself was vulnerable. When asked about the importance of the raid Lt. Col. Dick Cole said, "To many of us it was just the first mission of the war, we didn't think about it". Nick said it was Lt. Col. Cole's humility that inspired him most to ensure that the Raiders got recognition for what they had done for the American people.

An honor guard from the Texas Military Institute Corps of Cadets of TMI - The Episcopal School of Texas in San Antonio will be serving as Honor Guard and ushers for the program. The program will include remarks from Nick DeBerardinis, Lt. Col. Dick Cole, and a museum representative. Lt. Col. Cole will re-sign the book before it is handed over to the museum. This program is open to the public. For more information please contact Director of Public Relations Brandon Vinyard at 830-997-8600 ext. 205.

The National Museum of the Pacific War is a Texas Historical Commission property supported, operated, and managed by the Admiral Nimitz Foundation.