Edward Saylor

Lieutenant Colonel Edward J. Saylor, Ret. (March 15, 1920 – January 28, 2015) served in the U.S. Air Force. He was a veteran of World War II and participated in the Doolittle Raid on Japan on April 18, 1942. Saylor was one of the last four surviving Doolittle Raiders at the time of his death in 2015.

Early life Saylor was born in Brusett, Montana, on March 15, 1920, and raised on a cattle ranch. Tired of ranch life, he joined the military in 1939, having never seen a bus or train outside the movies.

Saylor was the flight engineer for Crew#15 of the Doolittle Raiders. He was credited with ensuring that this crew would be able to participate in the raid after an engine malfunction derailed their mission. James Doolittle personally asked Saylor to fix the problem. He had to dismantle and repair the engine on the deck of the aircraft carrier. Despite the fact that this work would normally be done in a depot, Saylor was able to rebuild the engine successfully.

Saylor next served as assistant base maintenance officer with the 86th Air Base Squadron and the 529th Material Squadron at Paine Air Force Base from July 1952 to October 1953, and then as an aircraft maintenance officer with the 59th Fighter Interceptor Squadron at Goose Air Base in Newfoundland, Canada, from October 1953 to July 1955. His next assignment was as an aircraft maintenance officer with the 530th Air Defense Group, the 84th Fighter Group, and then the 84th Material Squadron at Geiger Field from July 1955 to October 1958.

Decorations Saylor's military decorations and awards include: His death leaves just two surviving Doolittle Raiders.