Paul Tibbets has passed

[Second Air Force]

We send our condolences to General Tibbets' family.

Godspeed, Sir.

Scott and Ellen

[Ztex]

I just heard this news...

Sad day

[Silverplate]

I am extremely saddened by the news of Paul’s passing. Paul was a friend. My wife and I both spent weeks touring him through Florida a few years back before his health started failing. He was a sharp and caring person. Our discussions will last lifetime in memories for me. God speed Paul Tibbets.

Couple of my photos:



Gen. Paul Tibbets reminiscing in the cockpit of the B29 Fertile Myrtle at the Weeks Air Museum.



My wife and Paul at the Punta Gorda Airshow. My dad selling books in the background.

Last edited by Silverplate on Thu Nov 01, 2007 11:21 am, edited 1 time in total.

[Robbie Stuart]

I had the pleasure of spending some time with Gen Tibbets a couple years ago. He was starting to really slow down, but he was sharp & had no regrets about his duty. Blue skies Gen & thank you for your service.
Robbie

[Tigercat]

I just heard on the news about General Paul Tibbets. In my opinion he was an American hero who worked extremely hard to further the project that ultimately saved many lives and ended World War II.

I had the honor to meet and visit with General Tibbets on two occaisons and found him to be a pleasant gentleman who had a great sense of humor.

We will all miss you General Tibbets........Thank you VERY MUCH for your service to our country!!


Ted

[DiggerWW2]

Interesting Paul Tibbetts Videos:

Tibbetts at the Reading WW2 Weekend:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mg98nS1_XMU

Paul Tibbetts talks about the Hiroshima Mission:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhZERU58RSI

I thought it was very sad that the line to see "R. Lee Ermey" at the WW2 Weekend was about 100 times longer than the line to see Tibbetts. A real sign of the times...

Digger

[Rogue]

Thanks for those pictures,

Remembering another of the "Greatest Generation"

[frenesi4]

A great American; I was fortunate to met him a few years back at the CAF Airsho. His book, Return of the Enola Gay is a good read.

God speed General Tibbets,
Mike

[Taylor Stevenson]

God Speed Gen. Tibbets, you're the reason I'm here today...

[Airlift48]

I'll always remember the two times I met Gen. Tibbets.
One was at a wedding Kansas City, where he was best man, and the other was at Reading 2005. This photograph was taken by fellow WIX member Jase of the second meeting. we had a great conversation about C-54's.

He will be missed.

[Pat Carry]

Are any Enola Gay crew members still alive? I have sorta lost track.

[Jase]

Kevin,

That was Joe Cowan (General Staff of CAF on and off for years and Twin Beech owner)'s wedding.

I need to find the pic that was taken of me with Gen Tibbets. I'm just danged glad we got to see him once again, and memorialize the occasion with a pic.

Godspeed to a fine man.

[Taigh Ramey]

I am saddened by the passing of Mr. Tibbets. To me he is a hero as are all those who have fought for our country in the armed services. I am a big supporter of the Enola Gay and her mission both then and now.

I was at the National Aviation Hall of Fame awards banquet at the Air Force Museum in Dayton a few years ago and Mr. Tibbets was there. After the dinner he was standing by Bocks Car with his manager who held a microphone so Mr. Tibbets could hear the questions being asked as he was hard of hearing.

I listened to him talking to a gentleman and he mentioned that he had flown the B-25 quite a lot. Since I was flying the B-25 Old Glory at the time, and I knew the owner would certainly like the idea, I thought why not offer him a chance to fly this great Warbird or at least to fly in it.

I introduced myself to him and said that we have a beautiful B-25 and if he would like to go flying with us we would be honored to have him sit in the left seat or anywhere else that he might like.

Mr. Tibbets response was “THAT GOD DAMNED B-25 IS WHAT ROBBED ME OF MY HEARING! I NEVER WANT TO FLY IN ONE OF THOSE AGAIN!”

Even though my own hearing has also been greatly reduced because of my B-25 and Twin Beech time I certainly heard him loud and clear. I apologized and tried to retreat as best I could with my tail stuck so far…well you know where…

And that is my brush with greatness with Mr. Tibbets

May you rest in peace Mr Tibbets. Thank you for what you did for our country!

[muddyboots]

ah hah hah! Great story about a great man! I bet he felt bad about it later tho- By all accounts he was a really sweet old guy

[Second Air Force]

I believe the last survivor of the Enola Gay crew is Major Van Kirk.