The Passing of Lt. Col. Robert L. Hite

[shotgunneeley]

Robert Hite, co-pilot of the Doolittle Raid's B-25 #16, passed away in his sleep early this morning. He was the last surviving Doolittle Raider of the four who returned home after being captured by the Japanese. He was known for his stubbornness in persevering through his trials experienced as a POW. In Four Came Home, he mentally constructed every detail of his dream farm to keep his sanity. His family has said, "he was a humble man that loved his country, his family and friends, and most importantly, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ."

Here is the link to his page on the Doolittle website: http://www.doolittleraider.com/raiders/hite.htm

Forms of media:
1. "Four Came Home" by Carroll V. Glines
2. "Destination: Tokyo by Stan Cohen
3. "Doolittle's Tokyo Raiders" by Carroll V. Glines
4. "Thirty Seconds over Tokyo" (1944 film)

 

[Rich46yo]

 

[Maverick]

RIP Sir. Fair skies and tailwinds forever. 

[oboe]

 

[Ratsy]

 

Debts we can never repay.

[Hap]

Very nice obit: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/31/us/robert-l-hite-survivor-of-doolittle-raid-and-japanese-imprisonment-dies-at-95.html

[craz07]

  Sad day R.I.P. Lt. Col. Hite

[JimmyD3]

 

We will meet on the "other side".

[Puma44]

  Another of the Greatest Generation passes on. 

[ebfd11]

  Another Hero gone....

[shotgunneeley]

Here are some videos of the procession and fly-by of the funeral:







I just barely managed to get a few pics of the B1B Lancer. That thing was upon us before I even heard it!

http://vid1124.photobucket.com/albums/l575/shotgunneeley/BobHiteFuneral_zpsu3mh3kyg.mp4



(click on the above picture for the film. for some reason it would not play properly as a direct link like the others.)

http://vid1124.photobucket.com/albums/l575/shotgunneeley/HiteProcession_zpss56qfvpt.mp4


B25 in the middle. I couldn't tell for sure what the three escorts were, but my guess would be either T-6 Texans or BT-13s.


The procession on its way to the gravesite