Dutch Van Kirk, navigator of the Enola Gay

[kfields]

I purchased this original yearbook at a local gunshow during this past summer. There are new reproduction yearbooks out there but this one is an original that was printed in Dixon, Illinois way back when. Apparently most of the originals did not reach the unit members and were disposed of years ago.

Fast forward to this past weekend, Dutch Van Kirk, Navigator of the Enola Gay, was present at the Ohio Gun Collectors Show and I was able to have him sign the yearbook! I was tickled pink and able to talk to him briefly.

I thought I would share the moment. Kim

[Brian Keith]

Nice, I had the pleasure to meet several of the 509th Vets in 1995 (?) at the American Legion Convention in Indianapolis. I presented a copy of a photo of Paul Tibbits in an B-36 (I think) Bomber in the early 50's that he had never seen before.

Excellent item you have!

BKW

[kfields]

thanks Brian. Paul Tibbets is still living in Columbus, Ohio although folks say his health is not the best. Hopefully I can meet him before he passes on.

I think about my dad who was born in 1925 and still living. Probably more than a few Civil War vets still living at that time! I think about that now in that we've all grown up with these WW2 vets amongst us but in another 15 or so years, most or all of them will be gone.

 

Kim

[Brian Keith]

You are correct, Gen. Tibbits often attends the SOS in Louisville, KY to sign autographs. Last time I saw him he was moving pretty slow. If you don't have his book and have an interest in the history of the 509th than you need to find it. Probably search for it on amazon, The name of the book escapes me at the moment, but it is a good book. He did a book signing tour several years ago (late 80's I think) and you may be able to find a signed on. I have a coffee mug I bought from him on the tour above me on my shelf right now.

BKW

[kfields]

If you happen to recall the name of the book, let me know. Kim

[Dirk]

The book is called "Return of the Enola Gay". Tibbets came to the pentagon in 2003 for a book signing and I got one then....back then he was active, moved well and held his own against all those who went to meet him.

[S_E_Craig]

The book is called "Return of the Enola Gay". Tibbets came to the pentagon in 2003 for a book signing and I got one then....back then he was active, moved well and held his own against all those who went to meet him.

 

 

Actually there was a book prior to the "Return of the Enola Gay". It was called the "Flight of the Enola Gay" written in 1989, the Return of was wirttten iin 1998, there is also a 3RD book that was co wirtten with someone else, called something like the Silverplated bombers, you can probably go to Amazon.com and find any or all, or Libris.com

 

what is a shame about this is that news stations, and even local newspapers did not make much of his passing. in fact my local newspaper did not even mention it all... a crying shame. Yet the passing of a movie star, or tabloid person makes the news. A sad remark on the state of society in some areas of the country.

 

Would have loved to have heard him speak

 

At least the post office will or should commemorate him with a postage stamp in about 10 years.

 

S_E_Craig

[sgtbrown]

While this is getting a bit off-topic from Dutch VanKirk, about 10-12 years ago an electric flight suit came into my possession. It originally belonged to a fellow from Greenville, PA and was well marked with his name. A few years later, I found myself doing a display at a small airshow in Greenville. I displayed the flight suit with a sign explaining it had belonged to Clyde U. and asking if anyone seeing the suit knew him. The second day, I spotted a Vet "glued" to the suit. Sure enough, someone called Clyde and told him of my display. I then got to meet a fantastic fellow!

 

Clyde was a B-24 pilot in the Italian theater. After completing his required missions (a story in itself), he was rotated home and sent to Boeing to learn to fly the B-29. Completing his training, he became an instructor, transitioning other experienced bomber pilots from the B-17 and B-24 to the "big bird". Well, one of his students was a fellow named Tibbits!

 

His stint as an instructor over, he was transferred to Tinian Island. He was not a member of the 509th but on August 6th, 1945, he was Officer of the Day and in the main control room. In the presence of a bunch of scrambled eggs, he vividly remembered hearing Tibbits announce that the "deed had been done".

 

Like so many Vets, his attitude was that he hadn't done anything special. I'm proud I had a chance to meet him, hear his story and get his picture.

 

Tom