The role of this medium bomber proved to be one of the most important during World War II, and after its introduction into service, the North American B-25 Mitchell became a highly successful aircraft. Its service in many theaters of operations made it the most versatile aircraft of its type, fulfilling a variety of tactical roles in a wide variety of operational environments. Perhaps the most famous action involving the North American B-25 Mitchell took place on April 18, 1942, just after 8:00 a.m., when sixteen bombers took off from the relatively short deck of the USS Hornet and set course for Japan after the attack on Pearl Harbor.

The early B-25Bs used in the Doolittle Raid performed well, but were already undergoing modernization. The later C/D model (different letters were used for the manufacturer's designation) proved to be the definitive version of this highly effective medium bomber. An extremely rugged and versatile aircraft, the Mitchell served as an anti-submarine patrol aircraft off the coast of Florida and as a strike bomber in the deserts of North Africa, adept at both. Some of the later versions of the B-25 became the most heavily armed aircraft of the war, equipped with at least 18 machine guns and a variety of other offensive weapons.