Just months after the attack on Pearl Harbor, flying in 16 B-25s, 80 men, two of them from Arlington, sent Japan a message: Don’t mess with the United States.
Now, 73 years later, a congressional medal commemorates the surprise bombing run by Doolittle’s Tokyo Raiders, and the designer of the handsome gold piece is Chris Costello of Arlington.
“This was a unique privilege to serve my country as an artist, and to help give these men the honor they deserve, Costello wrote following an interview April 20.”I gave special attention to every detail of my original drawing to make sure it was exactly what they wanted.”
The 56-year-old is referring to the United States Mint, for which he has worked since 2010 as a contract artist, and to a variety of groups dedicated to keeping alive the spirit of the original raiders, dwindled now to two.
Two of the members who flew over Tokyo were Arlington High School graduates Eugene F. McGurl and Howard A. Sessler. McGurl was honored in 2009, when the square at Brattle and Summer named for him was dedicated.
Public celebrations of the medal’s unveiling include two that have occurred — on April 15 in Washington, D.C., and three days later, on the anniversary of Doolittle’s raid, at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. A third is set for Saturday, April 25, at the USS Hornet Museum in Alameda, Calif. The Hornet is the aircraft carrier from which Doolittle, an Alameda native, launched the raid.
The medal is the highest civilian honor Congress can give on behalf of the American people.
Busy and ‘surprising’
It’s a busy time for Costello, who has been a graphic designer and illustrator for 30 years. He said he faced few restrictions about how the design for this medal should look, but it needed to include the USS Hornet as well as a B-25-B.
As he researched the raids, Costello, who did not serve in the military but has a sharp interest in 20th-century American history, said he became very excited about the project. He said he was in awe of the sacrifice involved in what military leaders called a “suicide mission.” The overall success of the raid challenged what was then arrogance among Japan’s leaders and sent a clear message that the Japanese were vulnerable. In early 1942, when the Pacific war was in doubt for the Allies, the raids become a turning point.
The medal’s encircling legend says: “Doolittle Tokyo Raiders … April 18, 1942,” and in smaller letters: “FIRST STRIKE.”
Competition
Responding to artist call, he was assigned to the project last summer and was competing with a number of other designers. He was surprised and excited when he was informed that his design was chosen. You can see other recommended designs here >>
The medal has been made public now, on the 73rd anniversary, because it took Congress some time — more than Doolittle supporters wanted — to pass the enabling legislation. Original raiders are dying, one just three weeks ago.
More traditionally, artists who create coin or medal designs work in clay. Costello designed this medal with pencil, drawing freehand, in black and white, fashioning an 8-inch in diameter image. Find his other medal designs here >>
The Kingston, N.Y., native, works for NRT Northeast as a senior graphic designer and has won several awards for excellence in graphic design. His title for the United States Mint is AIP Artist in the Artistic Infusion Program.
Recently, selectmen approved his appojntment to the board of Dallin Art Museum.
Who were the Doolittle Tokyo Raiders
See news clippings on YouTube
Third celebration: USS Hornet Museum, Alameda, Calif.
Who is Chris Costello
This story was published Thursday, April 23, 2015.
