The Doolittle Raid was a significant military operation during World War II, conducted on April 18, 1942. It involved 16 American bombers, led by Lieutenant Colonel James Doolittle, launching from an aircraft carrier, the USS Hornet, to strike targets in Tokyo, Japan. This was the first air raid to hit the Japanese mainland, aiming to boost American morale and demonstrate that Japan was vulnerable to American air attacks. The raid resulted in limited physical damage but had a profound psychological impact on both the United States and Japan. Although most of the bombers were lost or crash-landed, the mission showcased the bravery of the crew and marked a turning point in the Pacific Theater of the war.