Hiroshima Log of the Enola Gay
Theodore Jerome "Dutch" Van Kirk (February 27, – July 28, ) was a navigator in the United States Army Air Forces, best known as the navigator of the Enola Gay when it dropped the first atomic bomb on Hiroshima. Upon the death of fellow crewman Morris Jeppson on March 30, , Van Kirk became the last surviving member of the Enola Gay crew. [1]. Tibbets Jr. The specialized team also featured ground maintenance officer John Porter and weaponeers William Parsons and Morris Jeppson. Theodore “Dutch” Van Kirk, Navigator on the Enola Gay
Theodore “Dutch” Van Kirk, navigator on the Enola Gay, describes arriving at Wendover Field, Utah and figuring out that he would be taking part in a mission to drop an atomic bomb. As the Japanese city of Hiroshima marks the 65th anniversary of the world's first atomic bomb attack, a member of the US crew that dropped the weapon talks to the BBC's Kristin Wilson about his memories of that day. To his family and friends, the elderly man in a little retirement community in Georgia is just "Dutch". Goodbye, Theodore Van Kirk, Navigator and Last Surviving Crew
The navigator and last surviving crew member of the B Superfortress Enola Gay, Theodore “Dutch” Van Kirk, passed away on July 28, On August 6, , he guided the bomber to Hiroshima, Japan, the target of the first atomic bomb to be used in combat. Van Kirk’s experience during World War II illustrated the contributions of countless Americans trained to perform highly-specialized. This video is part of an ongoing series commemorating the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II made possible by Bank of America. Copy MLA Citation.
Theodore Van Kirk, 93, Enola Gay Navigator, Dies
The Enola Gay’s crew consisted of 12 men led by Colonel Paul W. Tibbets Jr., who commanded the historic atomic bombing mission on August 6, Key members included co-pilot Robert Lewis, bombardier Thomas Ferebee, navigator Theodore Van Kirk, and radar countermeasure officer Jacob Beser. Free timed-entry passes are required for the Museum in DC. Discover our exhibitions and participate in programs both in person or virtually.
Theodore Van Kirk
Theodore Van Kirk was the navigator of the B Superfortress warplane, Enola Gay, which dropped the atomic bomb dubbed as Little Boy over the Japanese city of Hiroshima on the 6th of August, resulting in an estimated death toll of , Little Boy was the world’s first atomic bomb. Theodore Van Kirk was 24 years old at that time. The last crew member that boarded Enola Gay and responsible for dropping an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, navigator Theodore Van Kirk, passed away July 28, Monday. He was
Theodore Van Kirk, Enola Gay navigator, passes away
On August 6, , seven Bs are given their final briefing on the Hiroshima Mission. The strike plane carrying the Little Boy Atomic Bomb is Enola Gay, which is piloted by Col. Paul Tibbets and Capt. Robert A. Lewis. There are ten other men on board, including Capt. Theodore “Dutch” Van Kirk, who was the navigator. His job was to record the flight path of Enola Gay in this log, which. .
Who Was the Crew of the Enola Gay?
His skill and professionalism ensured the Enola Gay arrived at the drop point a mere 15 seconds after the initially planned time, quite the accomplishment given technological and logistical limitations during World War II. Van Kirk completed his military service in August with the rank of major. .
ENOLA GAY NAVIGATOR STILL HAS A CLEAR VIEW ON THE BOMB
But 65 years ago on Friday, Lt Theodore Van Kirk was flight navigator for the Enola Gay on its mission to drop the atomic bomb on Hiroshima. On the morning of 6 August, he, two of the closest friends and nine other Americans took off for the flight that launched the world into the nuclear age. .