The Doolittle Raid also known as the Tokyo Raid on Saturday April 18 1942 was an air raid by the United States on the Japanese capital Tokyo and other places on the island of Honshu during World War II the first air operation to strike the Japanese Home Islands It demonstrated that the Japanese mainland was vulnerable to American air attack served as retaliation for the attack on Pearl Harbor and provided an important boost to American morale The raid was planned and led by Lieutenant Colonel James Doolittle of the United States Army Air Forces Corporal David J Thatcher a flight engineergunner on Lawsons crew was awarded the Silver Star for helping the wounded crew members to evade Japanese troops in China David Thatcher has all hand signed this 8x10 Photo with Engineer Gunner Crew 7 inscription JSA Hologram DD90918 and Certificate of AuthenticitySpecifications. Signed by David Thatcher. Size 8 x 10