WASHINGTON, DC–Rep. Pete Olson (TX-22) today issued the following statement regarding the death of Lieutenant Colonel Richard “Dick” E. Cole, the last WWII Doolittle Raider:
“Today, our nation lost a true American hero and I lost a dear friend, Lieutenant Colonel Dick Cole. 77 years ago this month, the Doolittle Raiders embodied the American fighting spirit by risking their lives to avenge the Americans lost in the attack on Pearl Harbor. Sitting next to Col. Jimmy Doolittle on the first B-25 Bomber off the deck of the USS Hornet, he bombed Japan knowing they were going to run out of gas over Japanese occupied China. That simple brazen act of courage forever changed the course of World War II. Even though he is no longer with us, the legacy of Lt. Col. Cole and the 79 other Doolittle Raiders will continue to live on and will be a reminder that the American spirit can be shaken but never destroyed. This former Naval Aviator will always look up to Lt. Col. Cole, a brave and legendary Air Force Aviator. May he have fair winds and following seas in heaven.”
Rep. Olson with Lt. Col. Dick Cole
In 2014, Olson led efforts in the House to award the Doolittle Raiders with a Congressional Gold Medal.