The bombing hastened the end of World War II. Theodore VanKirk flew as navigator on the Enola Gay, the B-29 Superfortress that dropped the first atomic bomb deployed in wartime over the Japanese city of Hiroshima on Aug. VanKirk died Monday at the retirement home where he lived in Stone Mountain, Georgia, his son Tom VanKirk said.
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Ī Veteran Remembered, From our Archives Click the image or link above to read the storyĪ Veteran Remembers Click the image or link above to read the storyĬlick the images above to see them full sizeĪTOMIC VETERANS INCENSED OVER FALSE CLAIMS IN NEW BOOK News from Veterans of the 509th Composite Group.ATLANTA > The last surviving member of the crew that dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima once said he thought the bombing was necessary because it shortened the war and eliminated the need for an Allied land invasion that could have cost more lives on both sides.īut Theodore “Dutch” VanKirk also said it made him wary of war – and that he would like to see all of the world’s atomic bombs abolished. After 35 years with a majorĪ Veteran Remembers. To his long-delayed college career earning both a BS and MS degree inĬhemical engineering at Bucknell University. Having reached the rank of Major, Van Kirk returned to civilian life. Kirk later participated in the first Bikini Atoll atomic bomb tests.Īmong his decorations are the Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross Landed back on Tinian Island at 2:58pm, the plane and crew were greetedīy General Spaatz, a large contingent of brass and jubilant GIs. Of Japan we were well on the way to completing a successful mission andīomb we carried would be a great help in shortening the war." At exactlyĠ9:15:15, the world's first atomic bomb exploded. At 2:30am, the Enola Gay lifted off North Field enroute to Hiroshima, The enemy if they made contact, which they did not.ġ945, Ted "Dutch" Van Kirk was navigator on the first atomic bombing Their familiar arrowhead tail markings were changed on both sides Started moving overseas to the Pacific Island of Tinian in the MarianasĬhain. He was assigned to navigation training and in November 1944Ĭomposite Group, training for atom bomb delivery. Missions in England and North Africa before returning to the United Was then assigned to the 97th Bomb Group, flying B17 missions out ofĪ navigator with the crew of pilot, Paul Tibbets and bombardier, Tomįerebee, flying most of those missions in the lead aircraft. He graduatedįrom navigation school and in April 1942 was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant Susquehanna University and worked in a grocery store before joining theĪir Cadet program of the Army Air Corps in October 1941. Ģ7, 1921 in Northumberland, Pennsylvania. He expertly trained the 393rd Bomb Squadron which became the nucleus of the 509th.
Recipient of the Distinguished Service Cross for a gun battle from his B17 with eight Japanese Zeros. Thomas Classen, quiet hero and Deputy Commander of the 509th. Dutch often referred to Amelia and I as the "Bickersons" a 1940's radio program In which the wife and husband bantered back and forth.Ī Veteran Remembers. Thank you to Jim Kealy for the photos especially the last one of Mary Ann Ferebee, Amelia Krauss, Dutch and myself. I'll end this by saying " Job well done " I'll miss you. I'll miss our signings, our laughter, the stories. After the war he had a successful career with Dupont. He flew 58 Missions over North Africa In the B17" Red Gremlin" as Navigator for Paul Tibbets and with Tom Ferebee the Bombardier. he rowed flats of coal up and down the Susquehanna River working with his father. He had a good life, as a youth In Northumberland, Pa.
Over the years I realized that Dutch was the best spokesperson from the Enola Gay Crew to explain the use of the Atomic Bomb In ending the war. I can even say that he saved my life by Insisting that I obtain a second opinion on a serious medical problem I had. When Tom Ferebee died I asked Dutch If he would join us at signings, thus began a 14 year close relationship. I first met Dutch In 1990 and had corresponded with him prior to that. I lost a good friend and mentor, Theodore J.