WWII raid survivors set Ohio ceremony

9/5/2013

CINCINNATI — The last of the Doolittle Raiders from World War II will make their final toast together in a ceremony set for Nov. 9 at the national Air Force museum in Ohio.

The Air Force says that at this time all four remaining survivors of the 1942 bombing attack on Japan plan to take part. All are in their 90s.

By tradition, the Raiders reunite each year and toast “those who have gone” from the original 80. They use special silver goblets with engraved names. For years, the plan was for the last two survivors to make the final toast.

However, after Maj. Thomas Griffin of Cincinnati died in February at age 96, it was decided to have a final ceremony this year because of the survivors’ advancing ages.