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2012 Best Practices for Government Libraries

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Park Ranger Speaker Series: The Doolittle Raid<br />

The April 1942 air attack on Japan, launched from<br />

the aircraft carrier Hornet and led by Lieutenant<br />

Colonel James H. Doolittle, was the most daring<br />

operation yet undertaken by the United States in the<br />

young Pacific War. It was the first air raid by<br />

American <strong>for</strong>ces to strike the Japanese Home<br />

Islands (specifically Honshu) during World War II.<br />

Compared with the future devastating B-29<br />

Super<strong>for</strong>tress attacks against Japan, the Doolittle<br />

raid did little material damage, but American spirits<br />

soared when news of the raid was released. Still<br />

stinging from the attack on Pearl Harbor and Japan's<br />

subsequent territorial gains, it was important <strong>for</strong> the<br />

American public to know that a successful military<br />

response had been undertaken. The raid also<br />

generated strategic benefits that far outweighed its<br />

limited goals.<br />

Please join Park Ranger Paul O’Brien <strong>for</strong> a look at<br />

the story, strategy, and significance of the Doolittle<br />

Raid on its 70th anniversary. By demonstrating that<br />

Japan itself was vulnerable to American air attack,<br />

the raid provided a vital morale boost and<br />

opportunity <strong>for</strong> U.S. retaliation after the Japanese<br />

attack on Pearl Harbor.<br />

83<br />

BEST PRACTICES <strong>2012</strong>

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