The USS Hornet Museum is commemorating the 74th anniversary of World War II’s infamous Doolittle Tokyo Air Raid, the first strike against Japan after Pearl Harbor, which was led by Alameda-born Gen. James “Jimmy” Doolittle. Events include a presentation by WWII veteran and former CV-8 crewmember, Richard Nowatzki, who was an eyewitness to the launch of the historic Raid.

The museum’s April 16th Living Ship Day will run from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., and will include a big band performance by The Hornet Band at 11 a.m. followed by guest speaker Richard Nowatzki at 1 p.m. 

Special Guest Richard Nowatzki, USN Ret., was born in Chicago in 1922. Nowatzki was assigned to the USS Hornet CV-8 before it was commissioned in October of 1941. His normal battle station was as a sight-setter on a 5-inch anti-aircraft gun at the aft end of the ship. During the Doolittle Raid launch, Nowatzki positioned himself right next to the Flight Deck and watched as the 16 B-25’s were launched on their one-way mission. He has many fond memories of the Army Air Forces flyers while they were en route across the Pacific to the take-off point. He remained part of Hornet CV-8 crew until the carrier was sunk in combat in October 1942. 

As one of the few living eyewitnesses to the April 18, 1942 launch of the Doolittle Raid, Nowatzki will share vivid memories of the Raid and other wartime experiences onboard Hornet CV-8.  His fascinating book about his career, Memoirs of a Navy Major, will also available for purchase and author-autographs during the Living Ship Day event. Nowatzki currently resides in Roseville, CA.