Details:

Fred Bock, World War II U.S. Army Air Forces officer, autographed 9.5 × 7 inch black-and-white photograph depicting the headquarters sign of the 509th Composite Group. The image shows the base signage identifying the elite unit responsible for the atomic missions, photographed on-site during the final months of the war. Bock has signed the photograph clearly above the sign in dark ink.

Fine condition.

Frederick C. “Fred” Bock (1918–2000) was a U.S. Army Air Forces captain and B-29 pilot assigned to the elite 509th Composite Group during World War II. The aircraft Bockscar was named in his honor, as it was his regularly assigned B-29. On August 9, 1945, however, Major Charles W. Sweeney flew Bockscar on the atomic bombing mission to Nagasaki, while Bock commanded the observation aircraft The Great Artiste. Flying alongside the strike aircraft, Bock and his crew gathered scientific and photographic data documenting the effects of the atomic blast. Following the war, Bock remained active in preserving the history of the atomic missions, participating in reunions, interviews, and educational programs.

Authentication:
Includes a full letter of authenticity from JG Autographs, Inc.

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Reference sku: 11644 1416656-1