Q: I understand Lt. Col. Jimmy Doolittle was awarded the Medal of Honor for leading the bombing raid over Japan during World War II. Which medals were awarded to the rest of that group?
—Charles Watson, Decatur
A: The Distinguished Flying Cross was awarded to all 80 men who went on the 16-plane raid that bombed Japan on April 18, 1942, according to doolittleraider.com, the official website. The crewmembers who were captured or wounded also received the Purple Heart. Three others – Lt. Thomas White, Sgt. David Thatcher and Lt. Dean Davenport – each were awarded the Silver Star for their actions in China after the crews were forced to parachute from the B-25 bombers used in the raid or crash land the planes. President Franklin Roosevelt awarded the Medal of Honor to Doolittle at the White House, and he was promoted to brigadier general.
Q: I read that budget cuts have affected the Army Corps of Engineers’ ability to operate its Lake Strom Thurmond campgrounds. What about West Point and Walter F. George?
—Sharon Wilbur, Marietta
A: Three of 21 campgrounds are closed on Strom Thurmond Lake, but no campgrounds are closed at either West Point Lake or Walter F. George Lake. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers continues to operate seven campgrounds at Strom Thurmond Lake, and Lincoln County has taken over three under a new lease, Billy Birdwell, a spokesman based in Savannah, told Q&A on the News in an email. Georgia and South Carolina operate six campgrounds and Columbia County has one. Fort Gordon operates one for active and retired military people.
Andy Johnston wrote this column. Do you have a question about the news? We’ll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or email q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).
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