Ellsworth Air Force Base in Pennington County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
B-25 Mitchell
Doolittle's Raiders: B-25s Bombed Tokyo
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., September 20, 2026
1. B-25 Mitchell Marker
The Doolittle Raid was the most audacious bomber mission in history. In April 1942, sixteen B-25s took off from an aircraft carrier in the Pacific Ocean and bombed Tokyo and other targets, with plans to land in China. Although seven crew members died on the mission or as prisoners, the strike on Tokyo lifted American morale in the dark days after Pearl Harbor and the fall of the Philippines.
The Raiders B-25s had plexiglass noses, unlike our plane. There in the nose, the bombardier calculated when to drop a bomb so that it would land accurately
Crews for the Doolittle Raid were selected from four squadrons at Columbia Army Field in South Carolina. Today, three of those squadrons are based here at Ellsworth.
Two South Dakotans flew in the raid. Donald Smith (2nd from left) was from Belle Fourche, and Hank Potter (other photo, far left) was from Pierre.
RUPTURED DUCK
B-1 nose art pays tribute to two Raider squadrons now stationed at Ellsworth: the 34th "Thunderbirds" and the 37th "Tigers." The 89th Attack Squadron is also here.
DATA CARD
Top Speed mph · 300
Crew · 5
Range · Continental
Payload · On the
this page online
Erected by South Dakota Air and Space Museum.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Patriots & Patriotism • War, World II. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1942.
Location. 44° 8′ N, 103° 4.355′ W. Marker is in Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, in Pennington County. Marker and aircraft are on static display at the South Dakota Air and Space Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2890 Davis Drive, Ellsworth AFB SD 57706, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in West River, in the Badlands, and in Greater Rapid City. It is also in the American Lewis & Clark Corridor, on the prairies, and on the Northern Plains. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once Rupert’s Land and also the Louisiana Purchase.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: VB-25J Mitchell (here, next to this marker);
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., September 20, 2026
2. B-25 Mitchell and Marker
Left marker
Another marker is no longer nearby. Rockwell B-1B "Lancer" (was within shouting distance of this marker).
Regarding B-25 Mitchell. Although an official field museum of the US Air Force Heritage Program and is adjacent to Ellsworth AFB main gate, the museum does not require access onto the base.
Also see . . .
1. The Doolittle Raiders. (Submitted on October 6, 2026, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
2. Doolittle Raiders Rapid City Reunion Interview Tapes, 1978 (SDSHS). (Submitted on October 6, 2026, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
3. Doolittle Tokyo Raiders Association Records (UT Dallas Special Collections). (Submitted on October 6, 2026, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
4. Children of the Doolittle Raiders. (Submitted on October 6, 2026, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
Credits. This page was last revised on October 6, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 6, 2026, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 3 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 6, 2026, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.
