James harold Doolittle
1896 - 1993
“Jimmy Doolittle ”

Jimmy Doolittle learned to fly as a cadet in the Signal Corps Reserve at the age of 21. After his commission, Doolittle served as an instructor during WWI. In 1923 Doolittle enrolled in the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) eventually earning a Ph.D. in Aeronautical engineering. In 1930 he transferred to the reserves and worked for the Shell Oil Corporation promoting fuels for High efficiency engines.

Doolittle was also an avid test and race pilot in his early career. He was the first to cross the continent in less than 24 hours, the first to execute an outside loop and the first to fly by instruments. He was also the first pilot to win all major aviating racing trophies of the era: the Schneider Cup (1925), the Bendix Air Race trophy (1931), and the Thompson Trophy (1932).

After these victories, Doolittle retired from air racing. In 1940 he returned to active military duty.