The case the goblets are in was custom-made by Doolittle's co-pilot, Richard Cole, in four panels, each one five-foot high for the crew of each plane. Left to right, they represented the crews of No. 1 to No. 16 in order of takeoff. The goblets are arranged in rows top to bottom with pilots on the top row, then copilots, navigators, bombardiers and gunners.
Each reunion, the Raiders meet privately to conduct their "Goblet Ceremony" where they toast Raiders who have passed away since the last meeting. Those goblets are then turned upside down.
There are now just five of the Raiders left. When just two remain, they will meet and drink a final toast to their departed comrades. A special bottle of Hennessy Cognac has been reserved for that final toast.
The five surviving Raiders:
1. Col. Richard Cole, copilot No. 1, born Sep. 7, 1915
2. Major Thomas C. Griffin, Navigator No.No. 9, born July 10, 1916
3. Lt. Col Robert L. Hete, copilt No. 16. born March 3, 1920
4. Major Edward Joseph Sayles, engineer No. 15, born March 15, 1920
5. Staff Sergeant David J. Thatcher, gunner No. 7, born July 31, 1921
The Greats. --GreGen
The USS North Carolina (BB-55) My all-time favorite warship. As an elementary school student in North Carolina, I donated nickels and dimes to save this ship back in the early sixties.
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