On 18th April 1942, the United States launched a combined-arms air raid on Tokyo and the Japanese Home Islands. The raid was led by Lieutenant Colonel James 'Jimmy' Doolittle and despite causing minor damage, served to boost morale for the US and Allied forces abroad and forced Japan to recall forces to their defense.  

In the below photograph, taken during the raid, an Army B-25 can be seen taking off from the deck of the USS Hornet on its way to take part in the attack.

To read more about this topic, pick up a copy of Clayton Chun's book in the Campaign series, The Doolittle Raid 1942: America's first strike back at Japan, which examines the planning, execution, and aftermath of this innovative, daring and risky attack, that would come to show that the Japanese navy and air forces were anything but invincible.

The original image can be found here.