Description:

Bockscar

Bockscar Bombardier Beahan Autographs First Page of “Birth of the Atomic Age”

 

KERMIT K. BEAHAN, Autograph Endorsement Signed, on copy of first page of Joseph F. Papalia, “Birth of the Atomic Age” typescript. “Kermit K. Beahan / Bombardier ‘Bocks Car’ / Nagasaki Japan – 9 Aug 1945” 1 p., 8.5" x 11". Excellent

 

Kermit K. Beahan (1918-1989) was the bombardier of Bockscar, the plane that dropped the atomic bomb “Fat Man” on Nagasaki on August 9, 1945. He also flew as part of the crew of The Great Artiste, a support B-29 on the mission that bombed Hiroshima on August 6, making him one of only a few crew members to fly on both missions. Born in Missouri, Beahan attended Rice University in the 1930s on a football scholarship. In 1939, he joined the Army Air Force but failed pilot training and became a bombardier instead. Early in World War II, Beahan flew thirty missions in B-17 Flying Fortresses over Europe and North Africa. He returned to the United States as a bombing instructor until Paul W. Tibbets recruited him in the summer of 1944 to be part of the 509th Composite Group. Beahan remained in the Air Force until 1964, retiring as a lieutenant colonel. He then worked as a technical writer for an engineering and construction firm through 1985.

 

Joseph F. Papalia (b. 1936) became the official historian of the 509th Composite Group in the 1980s.

 

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

 

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