Three Doolittle Raiders inducted into Iowa Aviation Hall of Fame

GREENFIELD, IOWA — At the Iowa Aviation Museum’s annual Hall of Fame induction ceremony, three Iowa soldiers were recognized. These men participated in the famous “Doolittle Tokyo Raiders” secret mission on April 18, 1942. The participants honored were USAF Colonel Charles Ross Greening; U.S. Army Air Forces Cpl Leland D. Faktor; and U.S. Army Air Forces SSGT William J. Dieter.

Themed “The Best Iowa Has to Offer,” the induction ceremony was held at the Warren Cultural Center in Greenfield, Iowa. The evening consisted of speakers setting the mood of America in early 1942, recounting the raid itself, and telling stories of the Iowa men. In attendance were family members, friends, local and state dignitaries and descendants of other crew members of the raid.

Speakers included USAF Major Corey O’Toole, the grandson of Doolittle Raider William Dieter’s cousin; and Jim Bower, son of William Bower (Doolittle Raider Pilot-plane 12). These gentlemen spoke about the actions leading up to the country’s involvement in World War II, gave a detailed timeline of events, and provided video and pictures.

Leland Faktor grew up in Plymouth, Iowa, and was slightly more than a month from his 21st birthday when he was killed. He is buried outside of Plymouth. William Dieter was 29 and from Vail, Iowa. He is buried in San Bruno, Calif. C. Ross Greening was from Carroll, Iowa, and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.