One Way Mission: The Doolittle Raid and the Chinese Rescue

On April 18, 1942, the Doolittle Raid changed the course of the Pacific War and forever linked the destinies of American airmen and Chinese civilians.

After launching from the aircraft carrier USS Hornet (CV8) and striking Japan, many of the Raiders were forced to bail out or crash-land in eastern China. Thousands of Chinese civilians risked imprisonment, torture, and death to rescue and protect the American crews. In retaliation, Japanese forces launched brutal reprisals, leaving a devastating estimated 250,000 Chinese dead. Their shared sacrifice became one of the most remarkable yet least known chapters of World War II.

More than eighty years later, students from the United States and China joined together to rediscover this history. Drawing on archival research, oral histories, field investigations, and interviews with scholars and descendants, they explored the stories behind the mission and the enduring bonds forged in a time of war.

Presented in a bilingual format with the English section followed by Chinese, this book brings together the results of their research and reflections. It serves as both a tribute to those who lived through these extraordinary events and a testament to the power of historical memory to connect new generations across borders, cultures, and time.

Mentors: George Retelas, Hsiao-ting Lin

Editor: George Retelas

Foreword: Hsiao-ting Lin

Illustrator: Sue Lambly

Student Authors (listed in alphabetical order by last name):

Ethan Cheung,

Audrey Li,

Bryan Ma,

Angela Tang,

William Tang,

Sarah Tian,

Jonathan Wang,

James Zhang,

Erich Yunxin Zheng