World War II Honoree

Chase J. Nielsen

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Brigham City, Utah

Honored By

Grateful American

MEMBER OF THE 'DOOLITTLE RAIDERS' WHO BOMBED TOKYO, JAPAN IN 1942. HE WAS A NAVIGATOR IN ONE OF THE MOST DARING AIR RAIDS IN AMERICAN HISTORY, WHEN 16 B-25 BOMBERS TOOK OFF FROM AN AIRCRAFT CARRIER AND BOMBED TOKYO ON APRIL 18, 1942. HE AND HIS CREW DITCHED THE PLANE, WHICH WAS RUNNING OUT OF FUEL, OFF THE COAST OF CHINA AND HE SPENT MORE THAN 3 YEARS AS A JAPANESE PRISONER OF WAR. HE WAS ONE OF FOUR PRISONERS OF WAR FROM THE RAID TO SURVIVE. FOUR OTHERS DIED.