Doolittle Remembrance Dinner honors World War II pilots who trained in Pendleton
Published 10:34 am Friday, April 11, 2025
- Images of the airmen who trained in the early months of World War II at Pendleton Field for the Doolittle Raid line hang on a wall April 18, 2022, during the Pendleton Air Museum’s dinner and fundraiser on the 80th anniversary of the raid. The 2025 Doolittle Remembrance Dinner is Saturday, April 18. (East Oregonian, File)
PENDLETON — On April 18, 1942, a group of World War II pilots in B-25 bombers set out and struck Tokyo in the first American air attack on Japan.
Before they became known as the Doolittle Raiders, the 17th Bombardment Group trained in Pendleton.
Each year, the Pendleton Air Museum celebrates that history with a fundraiser: The Doolittle Remembrance Dinner. This year, the 83rd anniversary of the raid, is no exception.
“There’s a lot of history that people are surprised to hear about right here in Pendleton. We really try to encourage that, especially for our younger generation,” Pendleton Air Museum Director Debbie Rasmussen said. “We do this to help raise funds for the museum and help raise awareness for the museum and for local history here in Pendleton.”
The Pendleton Air Museum’s fourth annual Doolittle Remembrance Dinner is Friday, April 18, at BackFire Station, 911 SW Court Ave. in Pendleton. Tickets are $55 and available at www.pendletonairmuseum.com or by visiting the museum at 21 SW Emigrant Ave.
Contact the Pendleton Air Museum at 541-276-6156 for more information.
The evening
The Doolittle Remembrance Dinner begins with appetizers and drinks, followed by dinner and dessert inspired by the 1940s. The event also features live and silent auctions as well as a presentation by retired pilot Steve Leavell, who will talk about Crew #8 who were held in Russia.
“It’s just kind of a fun time to get together, remember, and enjoy the evening,” Rasmussen said. “It’s also about our mission: We’re preserving history for the generations to come.”
Pendleton Air Museum
Several decades ago, a small group of aviation enthusiasts began gathering to share stories about the Pendleton Army Airfield. Those discussions led to plans to open a museum.
The museum opened its doors in fall 2017 in downtown Pendleton. In addition to displays commemorating Pendleton’s military and civilian aviation history, it honors local veterans.
Spring and summer hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Mondays, and Wednesday through Saturday. Since the museum staff are volunteers, visitors are encouraged to call ahead to inquire about unexpected closures.
