Enola Gay
n.p., n.d.
Enola Gay Crew (5) Signed Photos: Mushroom Cloud, Japanese Surrender, Crew Group Shot
Archive

A group of five black and white photographs signed by various members of the Enola Gay crew. The first is the mushroom cloud above Hiroshima, signed by pilot Paul Tibbets, navigator Theodore "Dutch" Van Kirk, and bombardier Tom Ferebee. The second is a similar image signed by Tibbets and tail gunner George R. Caron. The third is a group crew image signed by Ferebee, Van Kirk, Tibbets, and radar operator Richard Nelson. The final two images are of the mushroom cloud over Hiroshima and of the Japanese surrender, each signed by Tibbets alone. The five photographs are accompanied by a letter of authenticity signed by Mrs. Mary Ann Ferebee. All measuring 8" x 10". All with bold signatures, near fine.

On August 6, 1945, the crew of the B-29 Superfortress Bomber Enola Gay dropped an atomic bomb nicknamed "Little Boy" over the southwestern Japanese metropolis of Hiroshima. The nuclear bomb wiped out 70 percent of the city and immediately killed 80,000 people; tens of thousands more would later die of radiation exposure. Colonel Paul Tibbets (1915-2007) piloted the 12-man crew on the "Enola Gay," the B29 Superfortress he named after his mother. Theodore "Dutch" Van Kirk (1921-2014) served as the navigator of the Enola Gay and was the last surviving member of the Enola Gay crew. Thomas Ferebee (1918-2000) joined the Air Force after a knee injury kept him from enlisting in the Army. He was assigned as a bombardier in the European theater and flew 60 bombing missions. Richard H. Nelson (1925-2003) enlisted in the Air Force but was unable to continue his service due to impaired vision. He therefore enlisted in radio school and was sent overseas upon being assigned to the Hiroshima mission. He trained with Tibbetts, Van Kirk, and Ferebee on practice runs in Tinian, but completed only one mission with the group - the bombing of Hiroshima. Technical Sergeant George Robert Caron (1919-1995) served as the tail gunner and was the only photographer on board. He took the photographs over Hiroshima as the mushroom cloud rose into the air.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

WE PROVIDE IN-HOUSE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE!
8" x 10"