Posted on 11/01/2007 8:43:44 AM PDT by snippy_about_it
Paul Tibbets Jr., who flew the plane that dropped the first atomic bomb — on Hiroshima, Japan — died this morning at his East Side home. He was 92.
Tibbets had suffered small strokes and heart failure in his final years and had been in hospice care.
He was born in Quincy, Ill., but grew up in Miami after his father moved the family there.
See link for complete story. Tibbets fell in love with flight and, at age 12, volunteered as a backseat assistant to a biplane pilot, dropping leaflets for the Curtiss Candy Co. at fairs, carnivals and other public gatherings.
He joined the Army Air Corps in 1938.
(Excerpt) Read more at dispatch.com ...
STATEMENT OFFERED BY BRIGADIER GENERAL PAUL W. TIBBETS (USAF, RETIRED) AT THE AIRMEN MEMORIAL MUSEUM ON JUNE 8, 1994 UPON THE ACCEPTANCE OF THE AIR FORCE SERGEANTS ASSOCIATION’S FREEDOM AWARD
(This is an exerpt. Full statement at Foxhole link in post 19.)
I am an airman, a pilot. In 1945, I was wearing the uniform of the US Army [Air Forces] following the orders of our commander-in-chief. I was, to the best of my ability, doing what I could to bring the war to a victorious conclusion-just as millions of people were doing here at home and around the world. Each of us — friend and foe alike — were doing the dictates of our respective governments. I recruited, trained and led the members of the 509th Composite Bomb Group. We had a mission. Quite simply, bring about the end of World War II. I feel I was fortunate to have been chosen to command that organization and to lead them into combat. To my knowledge, no other officer has since been accorded the scope of the responsibilities placed on my shoulders at that time.
As for the missions flown against Japan on the 6th and 9th of August, 1945, I would remind you, we were at war. Our job was to win. Once the targets were named and presidential approval received, we were to deliver the weapons as expeditiously as possible consistent with good tactics. The objective was to stop the fighting, thereby saving further loss of life on both sides. The urgency of the situation demanded that we use the weapons first - before the technology could be used against us.
During the course of the half century that has elapsed since the use of the atomic weapons, many scribes have chronicled the flight of the Enola Gay with nothing but descriptions of the destructive nature of our atomic weapons. Few such narratives have been objective. Indeed, I suggest to you that few, if any of the articles, books, films or reports have ever attempted to discuss the missions of August 6th and August 9th, 1945 in the context of the times. . Simply stated the Enola Gay and the 509th Composite Bomb Group have been denied a historically correct representation to the public. Most writers have looked to the ashes of Hiroshima and Nagasaki; to find answers for the use of those atomic weapons. The real answers lay in thousands of graves from Pearl Harbor around the world to Normandy and back again. The actual use of the weapons as ordered by the President of the United States was believed to be the quickest and least costly (in terms of lives lost) way to stop the killing. I carried out those orders with the loyal support of the men of the 509th Composite Bomb Group and the United States military at large. Our job was to serve. Our sworn duty was to God, country and victory.
I read an article once that stated Japan had and estimated 5000 Zeros squirreled away in caves and bunkers as well as fuel stocks to be used to defend the home islands at the end of the war.
Thanks for the ping.
We just heard further that no stone was requested so that no protests could take place at his gravesite. I’m sure a memorial could be built though.
RIP. He helped end WWII.
BTTT
God bless and keep you, Colonel Tibbets.
As I recall...he was living in Columbus, Ohio...and
driving a Toyota, which says he had no adverse
thoughts of the Japs...he saved a lot of lives, including
mine...JK
Rest in peace, Eagle.
Farewell to a true American HERO.
According to the end of the book, “Enola Gay”, he has arranged for his ashes to be scattered in the sky.
Apropos.
RIP, General Tibbets.
That’s a wonderful bit of family history. My cousin was a Manhattan Project physicist who was give primary responsibily for one component of the bomb by R. Oppenheimer. He was 23 years old. He is still with us.
More than 1 million in Japan, several more million civilians trained to resist. More than 1 million more in China and SE Asia. Even after the surrender, Japanese officers were slow to turn in their swords in China. The French and Brits hired some of the remaining Japanese soldiers to police the populations in Viet Nam, Thailand, etc.
RIP, General Tibbets. You did your job well, and you understood the threats to America, both foreign and domestic.
You’re also a great writer! What a book! http://www.enolagay.org/
“You saved my fathers life, I salute you sir.”
Same here. My Dad was on the battleship U.S.S Mississippi which had already been hit twice by kamikazes.
I remember when my Dad was in the AF and we were stationed at McDill. Col Tibbetts was the base commander - heck, here it is the day after Halloween and I remember as if it were yesterday (and it was in approx l957-58) that my mother took my brother and I trick or treating and one of our stops was his on-base quarters. RIP General Tibbetts
RIP Colonel Tibbets!
I greatly appreciate the sacrifices made by those who served in WWII.
So I want to say “thank you” to you too, Sir.
Your thread has more detail.
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