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Document 166414

ATOMIC BOMB: ENOLA GAY
Three crew members sign a copy of the letter ordering the atomic bombing of Japan.
Photocopy of Letter signed in ink: "Paul W. Tibbets/Pilot", "Tom Ferebee/Bombardier" and "Theodore J. Van Kirk/Navigator", 1p, 8x10. Copy of the letter written on July 25, 1945 to General Carl Spaatz, Commanding General, U.S. Army Strategic Air Forces. SEE LOT 174 for opening paragraph of letter. It continues in part: "To carry military and civilian scientific personnel from the War Department to observe and record the effects of the explosion of the bomb, additional aircraft will accompany the airplane carrying the bomb...2. Additional bombs will be delivered on the above targets as soon as made ready by the project staff...3. Dissemination of any and all information concerning the use of the weapon against Japan is reserved to the Secretary of War and the President of the United States...4. The foregoing directive is issued to you by direction and with the approval of the Secretary of War and of the Chief of Staff, USA. It is desired that you personally deliver one copy of this directive to General MacArthur and one copy to Admiral Nimitz for their information." Spaatz had insisted on written authority because of the moral burden placed upon him: "If I'm going to kill a hundred thousand people, I'm not going to do it on verbal orders. I want a piece of paper." On August 6, 1945, 12 days after this letter was signed, the Enola Gay with pilot Tibbets, bombardier Ferebee and navigator Van Kirk aboard, dropped the world's first atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan. A second atomic bomb was dropped on Nagasaki by Bock's Car on August 9th. On August 14th, Japan announced its surrender. Lightly creased at right blank margin. Fine condition.

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