Last WWII 'Doolittle' raider dies

The last surviving member of a morale-boosting secret United States air raid that stunned Japan during World War II has died, Agence France-Presse reported.

Lieutenant Colonel Dick Cole "has slipped the surly bonds of Earth & reunited (with) his fellow Doolittle Raiders," said General Dave Goldfein, US Air Force Chief of Staff.

"We offer our eternal thanks & condolences to his family. We will proudly carry the torch he & his fellow Raiders handed us."