Marc Mitscher
Doolittle and "Hornet" skipper Captain Marc Mitscher decided to launch the B-25s immediately—10 hours early and farther from Japan than planned. After respotting to allow for engine start and runups, Doolittle's aircraft had of takeoff distance. Although none of the B-25 pilots, including Doolittle, had ever taken off from a carrier before, all 16 aircraft launched safely between 08:20 and 09:19. The B-25s then flew toward Japan, most in groups of two to four aircraft, before flying singly at wave-top level to avoid detection.