Paul Tibbets

Paul Tibbets was a brigadier general in the United States Air Force and the aircraft pilot who commanded the B-29 Superfortress Enola Gay during the atomic bombing of Hiroshima in World War II. Selected by Major General Leslie Groves and tasked by President Harry S. Truman, he led the 509th Composite Group, the specialized unit created to deliver the first nuclear weapons. His military career spanned nearly three decades, and he remained a steadfast defender of his historic mission until his death.

Early life and military career

Born in Quincy, Illinois, and raised primarily in Miami, Florida, he developed an early interest in aviation. He attended the University of Florida and later the University of Cincinnati before enlisting in the United States Army Air Corps in 1937. He earned his pilot wings at Kelly Field in San Antonio, Texas, and was commissioned as a second lieutenant. Prior to American entry into the war, he flew the B-17 Flying Fortress and participated in early Anti-submarine warfare patrols in the Atlantic Ocean. His skill and leadership were noted during the North African Campaign, where he served as the personal pilot for Major General Mark W. Clark of the Fifth United States Army.

World War II service

After returning to the United States, he became a test pilot for the new B-29 Superfortress program, solving critical engineering issues with the aircraft's engines. In September 1944, he was personally chosen by Leslie Groves, head of the Manhattan Project, to form and command the secretive 509th Composite Group. This unique unit, based at Wendover Air Force Base in Utah and later on Tinian in the Mariana Islands, was isolated and trained exclusively for the atomic mission. He oversaw every aspect of the unit's preparation, from modified aircraft to specialized training runs, ensuring operational security and readiness under the code name "Silverplate."

Enola Gay and the atomic bombing of Hiroshima

On 5 August 1945, he named his assigned B-29 Superfortress the Enola Gay after his mother. The following day, he and his crew took off from North Field on Tinian for the historic mission. After a six-hour flight, the aircraft arrived over the primary target, the Japanese city of Hiroshima. At 08:15 local time, the uranium gun-type bomb, nicknamed "Little Boy," was released. The weapon detonated approximately 1,900 feet above the city, causing unprecedented destruction. The mission, which also involved reconnaissance aircraft like *Straight Flush* and The Great Artiste, was deemed a success, and he received the Distinguished Service Cross for his role.

Post-war career and later life

After the war, he remained in the newly independent United States Air Force. He served in various high-level staff and command positions, including with the Strategic Air Command under General Curtis LeMay. He was involved in early Jet aircraft testing and development programs. During the Korean War, he commanded the 308th Bombardment Wing, flying B-50 Superfortress aircraft. He later served on the Military Staff Committee of the United Nations and held a post at the Pentagon before retiring with the rank of brigadier general in 1966. In retirement, he worked for an executive jet taxi service, Executive Jet Aviation, eventually becoming its president.

Personal life and legacy

He was married three times, to Lucy Wingate, Andrea Quattrehomme, and finally to French-born former actress, who survived him. He had two sons from his first marriage, one of whom became a B-52 Stratofortress pilot. Throughout his life, he expressed no regret for his role in the bombing of Hiroshima, stating it was a necessary military action to end World War II and save lives. He was a prominent figure at historical events, including a controversial 1976 re-enactment at Harrell Field in Texas. He died at his home in Columbus, Ohio, at age 92 and, per his wishes, was cremated with his ashes scattered over the English Channel where he had enjoyed flying during the war. His legacy remains inextricably linked to the dawn of the Atomic Age and the enduring moral debates surrounding Nuclear warfare.

Category:United States Air Force generals Category:American military personnel of World War II Category:1915 births Category:2007 deaths