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The Doolittle Raid on April 18, 1942, led by Lieutenant Colonel Jimmy Doolittle, marked a significant moment in airpower history, demonstrating the psychological impact of air strikes on Japan and boosting American morale. This mission validated the ideas of Billy Mitchell, a pioneer of airpower strategy who faced professional ostracism for his beliefs, and underscored the importance of air dominance in military operations. Mitchell's principles of vision and intellectual courage continue to shape military aviation and leadership today.