In the aftermath of the devastating surprise attack on Pearl Harbor by Imperial Japan, the United States military sought swift retribution. Lieutenant Colonel James H. Doolittle masterminded a daring plan to launch a surprise air raid on Tokyo and other Japanese cities. Sixteen B-25 bombers, chosen for their long range and ability to take off from short runways, were modified to carry extra fuel and bombs. On April 18, 1942, the Doolittle Raid successfully struck multiple targets in Japan, boosting American morale and demonstrating the vulnerability of the Japanese homeland. Although the bombers were unable to return to their aircraft carrier and instead crash-landed in China, the raid achieved its goal of retaliating for Pearl Harbor and served as a turning point in the Pacific War.
