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Paul Tibbets Jr., who flew plane that dropped first atomic bomb, dies at 92
Columbus Dispatch ^ | Thursday, November 1, 2007 10:29 AM

Posted on 11/01/2007 8:43:44 AM PDT by snippy_about_it

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To: IamConservative

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.


41 posted on 11/01/2007 9:06:51 AM PDT by snippy_about_it (Fall in --> The FReeper Foxhole. America's History. America's Soul. WWPD (what would Patton do))
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To: Eric in the Ozarks

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.


42 posted on 11/01/2007 9:07:02 AM PDT by Rb ver. 2.0 (The WOT will end when pork products are weaponized)
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To: snippy_about_it
May the weather be CAVU, sir.

Thanks for the ping.

43 posted on 11/01/2007 9:07:22 AM PDT by steveegg (I am John Doe, and a monthly donor)
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To: Eric in the Ozarks

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.


44 posted on 11/01/2007 9:09:14 AM PDT by snippy_about_it (Fall in --> The FReeper Foxhole. America's History. America's Soul. WWPD (what would Patton do))
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Comment #45 Removed by Moderator

To: snippy_about_it

RIP. He helped end WWII.


46 posted on 11/01/2007 9:10:38 AM PDT by Tolkien (There are things more important than Peace. Freedom being one of those.)
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To: snippy_about_it

BTTT


47 posted on 11/01/2007 9:11:10 AM PDT by E.G.C.
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To: jwalburg
Short turnaround -- when the lawyers are not in charge.


48 posted on 11/01/2007 9:11:15 AM PDT by Diogenesis (Igitur qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum)
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To: snippy_about_it; sit-rep; verity; lapster; CourtneyLeigh

God bless and keep you, Colonel Tibbets.


49 posted on 11/01/2007 9:11:25 AM PDT by Larry Lucido (Hunter 2008)
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To: Nowhere Man

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


50 posted on 11/01/2007 9:12:54 AM PDT by sanjacjake
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To: snippy_about_it

Rest in peace, Eagle.

Farewell to a true American HERO.


51 posted on 11/01/2007 9:15:11 AM PDT by Mr. Jazzy (Very Proud Dad of LCpl Smoothguy242 USMC of 1/3 Marines, back in the U.S.A.!!!)
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To: snippy_about_it

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.


52 posted on 11/01/2007 9:16:04 AM PDT by hoagy62 (Happily watching the Left go full-goose bozo.)
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To: BallyBill

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.


53 posted on 11/01/2007 9:16:34 AM PDT by HockeyPop
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To: Rb ver. 2.0

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.


54 posted on 11/01/2007 9:17:40 AM PDT by Eric in the Ozarks (Go Hawks !)
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To: snippy_about_it
Thanks for posting and these words are worth repeating ...

"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."
55 posted on 11/01/2007 9:19:34 AM PDT by oh8eleven (RVN '67-'68)
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To: snippy_about_it

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/


56 posted on 11/01/2007 9:20:26 AM PDT by Southack (Media Bias means that Castro won't be punished for Cuban war crimes against Black Angolans in Africa)
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To: The Louiswu

“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.


57 posted on 11/01/2007 9:21:16 AM PDT by NavyCanDo
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To: abb

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


58 posted on 11/01/2007 9:22:11 AM PDT by BamaDi (Roll Tide Roll......Sabin's here - never fear!)
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To: sanjacjake

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.


59 posted on 11/01/2007 9:23:25 AM PDT by TexanByBirth (Vote Democrat - It's easier than thinking!)
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To: snippy_about_it
Earlier thread here

Your thread has more detail.

60 posted on 11/01/2007 9:23:29 AM PDT by null and void (First reporter of the great (5.6) San Jose 'quake of '07...)
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