Originally Posted by TexasGR
Lynn:
You knew Jimmy Doolittle?!?!?! Wow!!!
Still not germane, but I have to tell you I am finding his autobiography amazing.
First, I was amazed to learn he lived to be 95!
Second, I always imagined him (looking like Spencer Tracy) being more like a crusty, hard as nails, Greg Boyington type, who learned everything by trial and error (which is probably not fair to Boyington either).
Certainly he was a daredevil (master of the calculated risk is what they called him), but he was a true intellectual and a great aviation pioneer.
He earned the first (IIRC) doctorate in aeronautics. His testing on blind flying (just finished that part) was like a 500 year leap in terms of knowledge gained. He worked with Sperry, Kollsman, and numerous other famous name instrument makers to create the first attitude indicator, the first precision altimeter, and other instruments we rely on to this day.
Third, even in his book, he comes across with a degree of humility and modesty completely the opposite from the likes of Patton (another great American, albeit very arrogant). It is so rare to find that among major figures - at least the the handful I've had the displeasure of meeting (Gov. Pete DuPont being a surprise exception - very down to earth and friendly despite being born to extreme wealth and power).
I am learning so much about Jimmy Doolittle. In a sense, it is a shame his spetacular and courageous raid on Tokyo over-shadowed all his other accomplishments. Of couse, in the government run schools, they don't even teach about the raid, much less all the testing (and dying) that led to safe air transport...sorry, a tangent.
When I was 7 I guess, living in Orange County California, my best friend found a newspaper clipping that Col. Boyington was living in Bakersfield. It was 1975 (IIRC) and so I convinced my friend we should call directory assistance, get his number, and call him long distance.
He answered the phone and was extremely nice to two punk 7 year olds running up their parents' phone bill. Of course I said something stupid and embarassing...but he seemed genuinely amused. We only talked to him for 3 minutes or so, but to this day I recall every second
I tried calling Jimmy Thach (USN, developed Thach Weave) at his home in Coronado in late '79. There was no answer, and unfortunately he died the next year.
Wow...I am really in awe, to actually work with somebody like Jimmy Doolittle...wow!
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