Description: DAVID J. THATCHER (1921-2016) WWII Veteran and Doolittle Raider Signed 4x6 Photo in Rigid PVC Holder On April 18, 1942, Thatcher and seventy-nine other Doolittle Raiders successfully accomplished the first air raid on Japan. Thatcher served as the engineer and gunner for crew number seven, in a B-25 nicknamed "Ruptured Duck". His crew successfully struck the Nippon Steel Factory in Tokyo. Doolittle’s B-25s were forced to launch 250 miles earlier than planned because a Japanese fishing boat had spotted them. All sixteen aircraft had to ditch or crash land after striking their targets because they did not have enough fuel to make it to their intended Chinese landing sites. With bad weather and lack of fuel, the Ruptured Duck pilot attempted to crash-land the plane on a beach strip of the coastline of China. Instead, the aircraft hit the water a quarter mile off the shore. The crew got out of the aircraft and swam to shore. In the crash, all but Thatcher were seriously injured, and Thatcher took charge of the group and ensured the injured were given medical care, two days after the crash once they reached Chinese mainland. With the help of the Chinese underground, he made sure the crew evaded Japanese capture. For his gallantry in action subsequent to the raid on Japan, he received the Silver Star. Thatcher went on to serve in England awaiting the invasion of North Africa. In Africa, he became a engineer/gunner on the B-26. His decorations include the Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Chinese Army, Navy, and Air Corps Medal, Class A, 1st Grade. I am selling autographs from my 30+ year collection, and will combine shipping if you purchase them together using the Cart. If you are charged for separate shipping, don't worry, once I have the total, I will refund you the difference, guaranteed. SHIPPING: $3.85 first-class with tracking, between sheets of rigid cardboard. Will be sent as a package instead of an envelope, to help reduce the chance of loss. I pack securely and ship fast, either same day or following morning. BID WITH CONFIDENCE - 23-YEAR EBAY MEMBER WITH 100% POSITIVE FEEDBACK
Price: 24.99 USD
Location: Wheaton, Illinois
End Time: 2025-02-11T18:10:49.000Z
Shipping Cost: 3.85 USD
Product Images
Item Specifics
All returns accepted: ReturnsNotAccepted
Industry: Military
Signed by: David J. Thatcher
Signed: Yes
Original/Reproduction: Original
