Original Item: Only One Available. This is an exceptional letter that General James H. Doolittle typed on a typewriter to American author Robert L. Carlisle. The letter was written on high-quality Trojan Bond 25% Cotton Fiber paper, which is indicated by the visible watermark. Although there are some minor stains and age toning, the letter is in great condition, and its content is fascinating.

In the letter, General Doolittle discusses the Smithsonian Institute's request for some of his personal items to be displayed in the National Air Museum upon its completion. General Doolittle further explains that he is hesitant to part with a few of the items requested, as they hold great sentimental value to him. They had admired the Geebee and R3C-2 models that were given to him by Carlisle. However, he assures Robert that he will consider the request and try to make a decision soon.

The letter reads as follows:

J. H. DOOLITTLE
703 MUTUAL OF OMAHA BLOB 
5225 WILSHIRE BLVD. 
LOS ANGELES, CALIF. 90036
(213) 936-8109
6 November 1973

Mr. Robert L. Carlisle 
420 Norfolk Avenue 
Norfolk, Nebraska 68701

Dear Bob:

The Smithsonian Institution has asked for some of my memorabilia for display when their National Air Museum is completed. In this connection one of their representatives visited Los Angeles last week to select such items as he felt would be of interest.

Among those he particularly admired were the GeeBee and R3C-2 models you gave me a few years ago. While reluctant to part with them, realize they can be enjoyed by a great many more people if in the Museum rather than our home. Therefore tentatively agreed he might have them, provided you agreed.

Should appreciate getting your reaction to this, as I believe they hope to pack and ship the things they have selected within the next month.

All the best and every good wish.

As ever,

          J. H. Doolittle

A fantastic piece of history that comes more than ready for further research and display.

James Harold Doolittle was an American military general and aviation pioneer who received the Medal of Honor for his daring raid on Japan during World War II. He also made early coast-to-coast flights, record-breaking speed flights, won many flying races, and helped develop and flight-test instrument flying.

Raised in Nome, Alaska, Doolittle studied as an undergraduate at University of California, Berkeley, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in 1922. He also earned a doctorate in aeronautics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1925, the first issued in the United States. In 1929, he pioneered the use of "blind flying", where a pilot relies on flight instruments alone, which later won him the Harmon Trophy and made all-weather airline operations practical. He was a flying instructor during World War I and a reserve officer in the United States Army Air Corps, but he was recalled to active duty during World War II. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for personal valor and leadership as commander of the Doolittle Raid, a bold long-range retaliatory air raid on some of the Japanese main islands on April 18, 1942, four months after the attack on Pearl Harbor. The raid used 16 B-25B Mitchell medium bombers with reduced armament to decrease weight and increase range, each with a crew of five and no escort fighter aircraft. It was a major morale booster for the United States and Doolittle was celebrated as a hero, making him one of the most important national figures of the war.

Doolittle was promoted to lieutenant general and commanded the Twelfth Air Force over North Africa, the Fifteenth Air Force over the Mediterranean, and the Eighth Air Force over Europe. Doolittle retired from the Air Force in 1959 but remained active in many technical fields. He was inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame in 1967, eight years after retirement and only five years after the Hall was founded. He was eventually promoted to general in 1985, presented to him by President Ronald Reagan 43 years after the Doolittle Raid. In 2003, he topped Air & Space/Smithsonian magazine's list of the greatest pilots of all time, and ten years later, Flying magazine ranked Doolittle sixth on its list of the 51 Heroes of Aviation. He died in 1993 at the age of 96, and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.