MAJOR GENERAL DAVY (DAVID M.) JONES - COMMEMORATIVE ENVELOPE SIGNED - HFSID 299540

DAVID M. "DAVY" JONES
The Doolittle raider signs a commemorative cover on the B2 bomber
Commemorative Cover signed: "Davy Jones/Pilot Crew #5/Doolittle Tokyo Raid/18 April 1942", 6½x3¾. Ink stamp cachet marking the arrival of the B2 Stealth bomber, postmarked Whiteman Air Force Base, Knob Noster, Missouri, December 17, 1993, 29-cent US flag stamp affixed. Led by James "Jimmy" Doolittle, 80 men on 16 B-25 bombers took off from the carrier USS Hornet on April 18, 1942. The raid, which marked the first time fully loaded bombers took off from an aircraft carrier, was in retaliation for Japan's surprise attack on Pearl Harbor. "Doolittle's Raiders" hit targets in Tokyo, Yokohama and other cities and scored a huge victory for U.S. morale at a time when Japan's position in the Pacific seemed impregnable. Captain Jones took off safely despite a leak in the bomb bay gas tank and proceeded to Tokyo. His bombs scored direct hits on a power station, oil tanks and a large manufacturing plant. Continuing on to China, he flew on instruments. His entire crew bailed out without injury. Though all five members of the crew survived the Tokyo raid, two were killed in action before the war ended and Captain Jones spent time in a German POW camp. Remaining in the service after the war, Jones rose to command of the 47th Bomb Wing, based in England. Slightly worn. Otherwise, fine condition.