NEW YORK – James Harold Doolittle was one of the greatest aviators that ever lived and also one of the most decorated airmen in U.S. military history. The true life story of this legendary flying pioneer, American hero and Congressional Medal of Honor winner is told with rare archival footage and incredible insight by filmmaker/host Gardner Doolittle in a new documentary “Wings of a Warrior: The Jimmy Doolittle Story.”
The film will be released on DVD on Dec. 3, 2013 by Shelter Island at a suggested retail price of $14.98. Pre-orders will begin on Oct. 22.
Wings of a Warrior: The Jimmy Doolittle Story spans Doolittle’s entire life. Beginning with his childhood in Nome, Alaska, the film details his joining the Signal Reserve Corps Aviation Section (1919), his record breaking 1922 coast-to-coast flight, earning a doctorate at MIT, and development of “instrument-only” flying.
Wings of A Warrior explores Doolittle’s extensive military career including his role in the Invasion of Normandy and his leadership in the raid on Tokyo.
Doolittle is most remembered for leading a daring raid against Japan on April 18, 1942. Over the years, several films were made about this historic event from “30 Seconds Over Tokyo” starring Spencer Tracy and Van Johnson to Alec Baldwin portraying Doolittle in the Michael Bay movie, “Pearl Harbor.”
As a general, Doolittle led over 20 missions. He was the first Air Force Commander in history to lead a large scale aerial attack without a single loss.
He received many awards during his lifetime including the Horatio Alger Award, two Air Medals, two Distinguished Service Medals, three Distinguished Flying Crosses, the Bronze Star and the Silver Star. To date, Doolittle is the only person to receive the U.S. highest awards — Medal of Freedom and Medal of Honor. On Sept. 27, 1993, Jimmy Doolittle died at the age of 96.
“His life was more than just his raid over Japan, he was larger than life,” said Gardner Doolittle, filmmaker/host and third cousin to Jimmy Doolittle.
For more information: ShelterIsland.net.