Warbird Information Exchange

As historian for the 330th BG, one of my most unfortunate duties is to collect obituaries for our comrades and update our database.

I recently received one from the children of one of our Pilot's. This was published in their local town newspaper. In this it stated how he had spent a career in the military as a charmed aviator and ..., here is where it gets tricky.., 'he will be best known in history as the back-up Command Pilot for dropping the atomic bomb on Hiroshima" ZOINKS

Not only was this gentleman, not the Command Pilot of his 330th crew (A/C was the Pilot and Pilot was the Co-Pilot in B-29's), but I know for a fact that the 330th had no contact with the 509th and the 509th had been training for this mission for months and months and had plenty of 'back-up' crews and were based on Tinian. The 330th were on Guam. What their father told them was complete B.S.

Do, I correct what their father has told them all of their lives.., or just leave it.., ? I refuse to publish that comment about the 'back-up' on my website or in our newsletter. But how do I explain why I took it out?"., other than.., "your father was mistaken and what he has been telling you all your lives is wrong!

Many thanks!

I am sure I am not alone in this., I mean how many father's probably told their children 'i was on the landing beach on Normandy'.., when in reality, they were supply seargants way in the rear.

_________________
S.

Edit it out. If they ask, explain that there is a discrepancy between his story and known records. Should there be additional records that come to light that supports his story then you would be happy to add it back in. This way, you don't bust the bubble, but you also don't post erroneous information about him.