1104001
[World War II — Atomic Bomb — Hiroshima]
Enola Gay Crew
Paul W. Tibbets
Thomas Ferebee
Theodore "Dutch" Van Kirk
Richard H. Nelson
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Paul Warfield Tibbets, Jr., 1915-2007; Thomas Ferebee, 1918-2000; Theodore “Dutch" Van Kirk, 1921–; and Richard H. Nelson, 1925-2003. 8" x 10" black-and-white photograph of the mushroom cloud from the dropping of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan, boldly signed by four Enola Gay crew members, Paul Tibbets, Pilot; Dutch Van Kirk / Navigator; Tom Ferebee / Bombadier; and Dick Nelson / Radio.
Tibbets piloted the Enola Gay, a modified B29 Stratofortress, in the flight to drop the first atomic bomb ever used in war. The airplane was named after Tibbets's mother, who was Enola Gay Haggard before her marriage.
At 2:30 a.m. on August 6, 1945, the Enola Gay left Tinian Island, the forward American airbase in the Marianas, for Special Bombing Mission No. 13. In the bomb bay was "Little Boy,” the name given to the first atomic bomb to used in warfare. At 8:16 a.m., ”Little Boy” was dropped on Hiroshima, Japan. The bomb caused massive destruction and sped the end of World War II. When the bomb detonated, about 1,900 feet above the city, Nelson sent a coded message that was forwarded to President Harry S. Truman. It read, ”Results excellent.”
This photograph is in extra fine condition. Tibbets, Van Kirk, Ferebee, and Nelson have signed it in blue and have added their crew positions.
Unframed.
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