My Dad was a squadron navigator-bombardier stationed on Tinian with the 20th Air Force, flying B29's like the Enola Gay. Same island and base as (then) Col. Tibbets. Dad was there when the big one was dropped on Hiroshima, and later he flew the photo mission over Nagasaki the day after the second bomb was delivered by the B29 "Bock's Car". He saw the devastation first hand. Dad wasn't one to talk about his wartime experiences but when he did he was firm in his convictions of the resolve/fanaticism of the Japanese to fight to the last man, woman, child and last bullet, spear, knife and teeth. He was absolutely convinced of the necessity of both bombs and the great number of lives, both American and Japanese, they saved.
I agree - the Greatest Generation.... living through the depths of the Depression and ready to stand up when our country called!
One of my most cherished memories was when I asked BGen Tibbets to autograph a book for Dad and delivered same to him for Fathers Day about two years before he passed. I'll always remember the smile on his face. It was like taking him back 59 years! Silvers
