LEXINGTON, Va. April 24, 2024 — Gen. John P. Jumper, a distinguished alumnus of the Virginia Military Institute ('66), honored Detachment 880 by visiting cadets April 18 and partaking in the commemorative toast in observance of the anniversary of the Doolittle raids.

Gen. Jumper served as the 17th Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force from Sept. 6, 2001 to Sept. 2, 2005.  

As Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force, he served as the senior uniformed Air Force officer responsible for the organization, training and equipage of more than 700,000 active-duty, guard, reserve and civilian forces serving in the United States and overseas.

As a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the general and other service chiefs function as military advisers to the Secretary of Defense, National Security Council, and the President. 

The Doolittle Raid, a pivotal event in World War II, unfolded on April 18, 1942, when American air forces executed a daring attack targeting major Japanese cities. Motivated by the desire to bolster Allied morale and retaliate against Japan following their infamous assault on the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, the raid symbolized a significant chapter in military history. The toast ceremony, a rich part of Air Force tradition, is a tribute to the valor and sacrifice of those who participated in the audacious Doolittle raid, ensuring the enduring remembrance of those who served.

Cadet Joshua Vissicchio '25
Air Force ROTC Detachment 880