Paul Tibbets

Paul Warfield Tibbets Jr , (born the February 23rd 1915 with Quincy, Illinois, the United States and dead on November 1st 2007 with Columbus, Ohio, the United States), was an American pilot, who was charged to launch the first Atomic bomb on Hiroshima on August 6th, 1945.

Biography

Paul Warfield Tibbets Jr. is the son of Paul Warfield Tibbets Sr. (1889-1968) and of Gay Enola Hazard Tibbets (1893-1983).

The February 25th 1937, Tibbets engages as pilot junior in the United States Army Air Body with Fort Thomas in the Kentucky. He becomes second lieutenant in 1938. After the entry in war of the United States, it is named in March 1942, ordering 340e squadron of bombers (97e group of heavy bombers) which flies on Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress. Based in a camp of the Royal Air Force to Polebrook, it controls the bomber of head of the first mission of the 8th USAAF on Europe the August 17th 1942. Later it takes part in missions on the theater méditérannéen before going back to the United States to test new the Boeing B-29 Superfortress. Tibbets is regarded as “the best aviator” of the Air Force. Eisenhower itself will confirm this reputation, Tibbets having been used to him as personal pilot lasting the war.

In September 1944, it is selected to order a project which proceeds with the Wendover Army Air Field in the Utah, and which will become the 509th Composite Group directly related to the Projet Alberta of the Projet Manhattan.

It is as a colonel that it takes the orders of the bomber B-29 Enola Gay which released the first offensive atomic bomb on Hiroshima with the Japan, the August 6th 1945. Enola Gay was the first name of the mother of Tibbets. August 6th, 1945 with 2:45 of the morning, Enola Gay embarked the bomb Little Boy which was released on Hiroshima towards 8:15.

It receives the Distinguished Service Cross-country race. It Marie with Andrea during the years 1950. In 1959, Tibbets is promoted with the rank of General Sergeant. The film the Great Secrecy ( Above and Beyond , 1952) described the history of Tibbets (interpreted by Robert Taylor) and of its first Lucy wife during the war. In 1980, a telefilm with Patrick Duffy (Tibbets) and Kim Darby (Lucy), Gay Enola: The Men, the Mission, the Atomic Bomb , recall the life of the pilot. Tibbets was also represented in the films Day One and The Beginning gold the End .

During the years 1960, Tibbets is sent as military attach3e in India but it will have to leave the country following protests. It leaves to the retirement the August 31st 1966 after almost 30 years military career.

Suffering from many health issues, its state worsened in September 2007, it dies on November 1st 2007 with Columbus, in the Ohio. Before its death, it stated that it wanted neither funeral nor tomb stone, by fear of starting protest demonstrations.

Decorations

Distinguished Service Cross-country race
Distinguished Flying Cross-country race
Air Medal
Purple Heart
Legion off Merit
Commendation Medal
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
American Defense Service Medal
American Campaign Medal
World War II Victory Medal

References

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