Guest post from Geert Rottiers.

In The Tokyo Sixteen, historian and researcher Geert Rottiers presents a compelling and deeply human account of the legendary Doolittle Raid of April 1942—the very first American air attack on Japanese soil during World War II.

This groundbreaking book contains sixteen individual biographies of the B-25 pilots who took off from the deck of the USS Hornet on a mission that seemed almost impossible. These men—known as The Tokyo Sixteen—risked everything to strike back after Pearl Harbor, changing the course of the war and boosting Allied morale around the world.

Rather than focusing solely on the military operation, Rottiers dives into the personal lives, motivations, and fates of each pilot. Some returned home as heroes. Others were captured, tortured, or never seen again. All of them displayed extraordinary courage in the face of overwhelming odds.

Through years of research, access to family archives, personal letters, and previously unpublished materials, Rottiers reconstructs their journeys with emotional depth and historical precision. The result is a richly detailed, biographical tribute to the men behind the mission—bringing new life to a story that deserves to be remembered.

Written as part of the author’s own journey of recovery after a brain hemorrhage, The Tokyo Sixteen is not just a historical account, but also a powerful personal project that reflects resilience, dedication, and the enduring impact of memory.

The Tokyo Sixteen is available to preorder here.