Pilot of Hiroshima A-bomb plane dies

Minneapolis Star-Tribune ^ | 11/1/2007 | Minneapolis Star-Tribune

[Colonel_Flagg]

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Paul Tibbets, the pilot and commander of the B-29 that dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan, died Thursday. He was 92.

[Colonel_Flagg]

Associated Press notes the passing of an American hero.

[Colonel_Flagg]

Please pull ... did not see other thread posted.

[RightWhale]

Feisty to the end.

[nmh]

He did do the RIGHT thing.

It saved AMERICAN lives.

[Uncle Hal]

A real hero. I did not realize the plane, Enola Gay, was named for his mother. The Enola Gay and Tibbets are popular answers to cross word puzzle questions.

[jesseam]

My dad was an intelligence officer with the 509th Composite Bomb Group on the island of Tinian and worked with the crews of the Enola Gay and Bockscar. I am proud of his work on helping to end this war. He died in 1986/

[MarineBrat]

I am proud of his work on helping to end this war. He died in 1986

[Argus]

Arguably, the A bomb saved Japanese lives as well, since the carnage and mass suicides expected during an invasion of the home islands never had a chance to happen.

[mkjessup]

This is why we should be planning to save lots of Iranian lives right NOW.

God Bless Paul Tibbets, an American hero if there ever was one.

[jesseam]

Your beautiful reply brought tears to my eyes

[Zakeet]

My newspaper reporter daughter interviewed Gen. Tibbets. My business partner was his neighbor for a time when they both lived in Washington D.C.

They both speak of the man using the highest terms of praise.

He was an outstanding person of honor and integrity.

We will miss this patriot.

[VirginiaConstitutionalist]

Thank you, sir, for saving the lives of millions of Americans and Japanese.

[SlayerOfBunnies]

R.I.P. and thank you, sir.

[SampleMan]

It saved Japanese lives too. They were arming the children with wooden spears.

[nmh]

AGREE!

[nmh]

“It saved Japanese lives too. They were arming the children with wooden spears.”

Agree!

I didn’t know they were arming the children -

what monsters!

[MHT]

He was a “oner”—crossword puzzle clue: special person.

[Ace the Biker]

My Dad was there also, He was a Ord Officer, He and his crew removed the arms from the Enola Gay before it was flown to the the states to go to the Smithsonian.

He met with him several times and even had his orders for the operation signed by Col. Tibbets.

Dad is still living and is quite healthy. He was also one of the few Army AirCorp members to be in on the Assault of Iwo Jima. He was attached to the 3rd Marines.

I’m sure this will be a sad day for him.

[MarineBrat]

Your beautiful reply brought tears to my eyes

As did yours. :)

[luvie]

REST IN PEACE
PAUL TIBBETS
AMERICAN HERO