The Official Website of General Paul W. Tibbets
May 13, 1999
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To learn from our past events is often the best lesson a person can learn. As a civilization, the lessons we have learned from our past wars have served us well. But occasionally we need to revisit them just to refresh our memory of those lessons.
Today we visit such a site. It is the Official Website of General Paul W. Tibbets. Who is General Tibbets, you may ask? He is not so much known for who he is, but for what he did in the service of his country. On a hot August day in 1945, he piloted an airplane named the Enola Gay over a target in the Japanese islands, and dropped the first nuclear bomb. This marked only one of two times this type of weapon has been used. At this site you can learn about the nuts and bolts of the operation, from a history of the plane, to a biography of the general, to the mission itself. You can even send email to the General who reads it.
The lessons of our history are the roots of our future society. How well we learn those lessons will determine the kind of world we will leave for our kids. Enjoy your stop here with the Family Site of the Day.
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General Paul Tibbets symbolises America, individuals like him are rare and I feel we must always be grateful for the sacrifices he made to give us the democracy we have today.
His crew were truly a Band of Brothers, they were a family bound by blood, sweat and tears.
Although many of those wonderful soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines are not with us today they have not gone but just faded away.
Dear General Tibbets:
I served under you when we were both at Eglin.
A few nights ago I was reminiscing with my wife (I suppose that happens when you are 73!) and told her of the great advice you once gave me when I was a young ROTC Lieutenant that was about to leave the Air Force for a civilian career.
You told me to stay in the Air Force because in the Air Force I wouldn't have to to tolerate a bad boss for more than a couple of years at a time! How right you were!
I can't complain too much though because I went to work with Union Carbide and ultimately became VP GM of one of the business units in 1974 (Prestone, etc. Later, we were "sold" and formed a LBO company from which I retired in 1991.
I'll never forget the exciting and memorable experiences I was privileged to have with your group including my soujurn at Thule for the winter season on the B47 OST project. Thanks.
Do you ever hear anything of Major Stirling or Major Bozarth? Unfortunately, my friend Jim Whitaker (with whom I had kept in touch) passed away a few years ago from lung cancer.
My wife and I live part of the year in Westport, Ct. where our two daughters and their families also live. During the winter months we are in Naples, Florida.
If you are ever in either area, I'd be pleased to hear from you.
I hope you are well and enjoying life to the hilt. Where are you living now?
Thanks again for your friendship and advice as well as the great memories that you made possible for a naive young second lieutenant.
Robert Cassidy
Dear General Tibbets:
I served under you when we were both at Eglin.
A few nights ago I was reminiscing with my wife (I suppose that happens when you are 73!) and told her of the great advice you once gave me when I was a young ROTC Lieutenant that was about to leave the Air Force for a civilian career.
You told me to stay in the Air Force because in the Air Force I wouldn't have to to tolerate a bad boss for more than a couple of years at a time! How right you were!
I can't complain too much though because I went to work with Union Carbide and ultimately became VP GM of one of the business units in 1974 (Prestone, etc. Later, we were "sold" and formed a LBO company from which I retired in 1991.
I'll never forget the exciting and memorable experiences I was privileged to have with your group including my soujurn at Thule for the winter season on the B47 OST project. Thanks.
Do you ever hear anything of Major Stirling or Major Bozarth? Unfortunately, my friend Jim Whitaker (with whom I had kept in touch) passed away a few years ago from lung cancer.
My wife and I live part of the year in Westport, Ct. where our two daughters and their families also live. During the winter months we are in Naples, Florida.
If you are ever in either area, I'd be pleased to hear from you.
I hope you are well and enjoying life to the hilt. Where are you living now?
Thanks again for your friendship and advice as well as the great memories that you made possible for a naive young second lieutenant.
Robert Cassidy
Ich bin unheimlich beeindruckt das du deine kinder und Kindes kinder erziehen konntest und ihnen ein so schönes Leben bieten konntest. und auf der anderen seite das leben von ca. zweihundert tausend Frauen und Kindern zerstört hast um Soldaten zu retten die sowieso gewonnen hatten . danke das du ein so grosser held in unserem land bist!
Dear General Tibbets,
I am the grandson of Lt. Col. (ret.) Eugene Faber and from what I have heard I am related to you. I have researched family records and my family is related to the Warfield family. I am currently a midshipman at University of Florida Naval ROTC unit. I constantly read information about the great military leaders of this century and I would appreciate it if you could e-mail me at stang89@ufl.edu. Thank you sir.
Very Respectfully,
Andrew Wilsnack
Dear General Tibbets,
A couple of years ago you were back in Quincy for a visit. Unfortunately, I did not get to meet you but emailed you and you were so gracious to email me back. My son lives and teaches in Venice, Florida, and went to his first air show last weekend in Punta Gorda. He saw many planes and one had a number of autographs on it including yours. He emailed the pictures to me and asked me to forward them to you as perhaps you would remember some of the others who sighed their names and would enjoy seeing the pictures. My problem is I cannot find your email address from before. I would be very happy to send the pictures to you or even have them printed and mail them to you. Please let me know if you are interested. I hope this message finds you well.
Sincerely,
Allan Hoskins
Assistant Principal
Quincy Junior HIgh School
Dear Gen Tibbets,
I would like to get your autograph. Is that possible? My father was on Tinian when you flew . He was a B29 mechanic, first in India and then there. He was a Sgt. I asked him if he ever met you but he said that he stayed away from officers. He also said that the flying officers were generally nice guys. He has been in poor health the last year and I'm afraid he wont be around much longer. I have a profound admiration for what your generation did for us.
Hoping to hear from you.
sincerely, Neil A. Haglund
Dear Col. Tibbets. My Grandfather was Vernon Alva Tibbets, he passed away last July 23rd at the age of 85. He was a cousin of yours (not sure how far removed), and I remember as a child him telling me of your relation to him, so thus to me. He was born in Kansas, but lived most of his life in California. He was a WW2 veteran as well. I am proud of this relation, no matter how distant as was he. If you are able I would love to receive a letter or autograph from you as a keepsake of our family's history. If you or a family member could reply to my email address at ronhstaton@yahoo.com I would greatly appreciate it. Yours truly, Ron Staton Chandler AZ.
I apologize, I did not address you as General in my earlier message, but as Colonel (this title is what I heard my whold life!). I am sorry.
Ron
Gen Tibbets,
Sir my name is Cpl Cassidy W Tibbets USMC. I have been asked many times if I am related to you. I say I don't know. My family is from Texas. My great grandmother is name Bonnie Tibbets and my grandfather is Willard Tibbets. He is about your age. I would like to know if I am related to you so I can give people a yes or no when they asked that question. Thank you for your time.
Dear family of General Paul W. Tibbets,
I am a sophomore at Cheyenne Mountain High School in Colorado Springs, Colorado. I will be presenting a fifty minute project for a pre-advanced placement modern world history class on the Manhattan Project and the events of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. An interview with one who knows General Tibbets, or Gen. Tibbets himself would be of the utmost appreciation.
Thank you for your time,
Alexander C. Fouss
Happy Birthday General Tibbets! I just spoke with an old friend of mine, your friend, Paul Mayo. Paul told me that you are 90 years YOUNG today.
I'd like to wish you a very Happy Birthday as well as many more with good health in body, mind and spirit.
Jackee Allen
Happy 90th Birthday Gen. Tibbets!!! With the conflict in the Middle East, it is a reminder of all of the men who have served to keep our nation free. Thank you! Have a wonderful day!!
Happy Birthday General Tibbets. I remember hearing of you from my uncle, Owen Polleys. You might remember him. He was vice president of Kaman Aircraft in Ct., but, I believe you may have met him years before that when he was an aeronotical engineer. I've enjoyed remembering my uncle, and now wish you a happy day and many more birthday celebrations.
Loretta Scott
Dear General Tibbets;
My mother and I were imprisoned by the Japanese on Java in several camps including Banju Biru #11. My father was at other camps. If it had not been for the heroic actions of yourself and those you trained, I believe many many more thousands of American soldiers would have been killed in invading and occupying Japan, and also over 140,000 of us in camps all over Indonesia would have died. I am always aware of our indebtedness to those most difficult actions of you and your fellow soldiers. Much older now and fortunate to be living in the United States, in Salt Lake City, Utah, I often fly as a private pilot to Wendover and silently offer up my gratitude to you. My parents have since died, but they have echoed my sentiments. I wish you so very well and hope that I might meet you to thank you in person.
Kindest regards,
Brian Hague
Dear General Tibbets,
I don't know if you still reside in the Columbus area, but my 11-year-old son has chosen to do his 5th grade VIP report about you. At the time he made his choice, he wasn't aware that we were acquainted from our days at EJA. So I was pleasantly surprised by his choice. He would love to interview you if that is a possibility. Would that be possible?
Best regards, Elizabeth Palmer-Spilker
Dear General Tibbets, I am a highschool senior in California and have always went above and beyond my assignments. But never have I went so beyond my borders as to contact such a man of great importance. I would greatly appreciate it if you would comply to an interview that I was assigned to conduct. It would not take up too much of your time and it can be done through email. The interview consists of a few questions (less than 10) and hopefully they do not make you feel any way uncomfortable. I know you may be a bit busy, but nevertheless I await your decision. Thank you so much for your time, and best wishes to you.
Dear General Tibbets,
Hello, I am a Junior in high school in the Chicagoland area and my US History class is studying WWII and the atomic bombs to end the war. My class is very interested in finding out from a first-hand account what is was like and everything that you did. Please email me back if you are interested in having a conversation. I patiently await your decision. Thanks for your time.
Dear General Tibbets,
I am a Cadet in the ROTC at UT. We are to do reports on a leader of choice who served in WWII. I have had the honor to learn about you, and your strong leadership style. You are a very stong and sure person. I have learned a lot on how I will apply your leadership style to my leadership style.
Just thought I would share that.
Take care.
Sir, I am asking for an autograph for an 80 year old gentleman by the name of Owen Clark Case. His high school is having a 41-45 year reunion and the Victory Years are also being celebrated. I really do not ask much and we never go out of our way to give something back. I know Mr. Case met you three times a long time ago. He served in World War Two as a duck. I "borrowed" two of his books from his collection. Could I Fedex them and Prepaid Fedex them back? I only ask for a signature. The reunion is May 20 and 21, and I know this would make him very happy.
Thank you for your time and consideration. Please write back and let me know.
-Satawa Mieta
General Tibbits;
First off let me say I am very apperative of your efforts to make me safe in this country. I remember the fear and turmall of the 2nd World War. I was born in 1939 and my sister and brother served. Thank you again.
I am tring to work on my family tree, and need some help.Our Mother passed on in 1986 and Brother sat next to a lady at her furnal that told him she was Moma cousin and was married to you. My sister remembers your name mentioned around home.
Our Mothers name was Lillian Francic Boehme Hankey. Most of her family is long gone now, so tracing them is kind of complated. My Grandmother name was Passler or Pasler. also there are some Yager . she was born and raised around Bryan Tex. Mother also some cousins that lived in Bracketville TX. Any help you would be able to give me would be greatly apperated
with great respect and
admiration :
Wm. M,hankey
512 2814512
Gen. Tibbets,
My name is Frank Conte. I get the pleasure to give historical tours of the long forgotten Wendover Airfield each year. I tend to get overwhelmed each time I look around the place. Not much has changed there since you and your group left. I was wondering if there might be any stories you could tell me about Wendover or your experiences while you were stationed there that might help me during my tours. I, as well as millions of Americans, very much appreciate all that was done in WWII. This country wouldn't be the same had the outcome been different.
Sincerly,
Frank Conte
Dear General Tibbets, I've had the privilege of meeting you and talking to you briefly twice at Tom Reilly's Warbird Museum in Kissimmee, FL. I volunteered at the museum at the time. Unfortunately, due to hurricane damage last year to the hanger, Tom has closed the museum and sold the property. I have just finished re-reading my copy of The Return of the Enola Gay and out of curiosity looked up Lauris Norstad on the internet. I was sort of surprised to read in one place where General Norstad was "Promoted to Major General in June of 1945 and had direct responsibility for planning the atomic bomb missions carried out in August, 1945." Is it true that you were back under this guys copmmand at that time?
I was a thirteen year old farm boy living a few miles south of Wichita in 1943 while you were flying and checking out B-29s there. It was during this period when formations of bombers and fighters were in the air over Kansas every day that I began a romance with WWII war planes. I trust that you are enjoying good health and I salute you.
Ed Scott, Clermont, Florida
General Tibbets-
My father is a huge WWII buff. I am trying to find an address to write to you for him and try to possibly get a signed photo. What mailing address can you be contacted at?
Respectfully,
Justin K
Hello, I'm writing from the Washington District Library in Washington, Illinois and we have a patron who is interested in some information on the Tibbets family. He thinks he may have flown with a relative of Gen. Tibbits. Could you inform us if Gen. Tibbits has siblings or children? Gentleman thinks other pilot was named Elmo.
Thanks so very much for any information!
What is your faavorite color?
were you gay?
Just finished the movie Above and Beyond. My father served in the South Pacific on a destroyer escort. He escorted the Missouri into Tokyo Harbor for the surrender. I think of my father often. I am thankful for your service and the American lives you saved. I pray all is well with you and yours. Most Respectfully,
Tom Armstrong
General Tibbets;
I recently read in one of your books that you and your family lived in Des Moines in your grade school years. I am from Des Moines, and went to Hanawalt Grade School starting in 1945. Judging by your Des Moines address, I am guessing that you also went to Hanawalt. Is that correct. Thank you.
General Tibbets--it has been some time since we were emailing one another. Just wanted to let you know that we loved your book. Jack & Glenda Oldani
General,I hope all is well for you.I still enjoy rereading your book that you gave me after Gene and Sandy's wedding, 3 August 1980. If it's not to personal I would like to contact Gene. I have lost contact with and would enjoy talking to him again. Thank you in advance for your help.
Best personal regards,
Pat Oliver
Dear General Tibbets,
I hope this note finds you and your family doing well. I am currently working on a documentary about the evolution of bombers for the Discovery Military Channel. Therefore, I was wondering if we might be able to interview you along with your grandson who I understand flies a B-2 in early December to discuss how the bomber evolved over time. You can check out my company at www.flashbacktv.co.uk and you can reach me at amykagelmacher@flashbacktv.co.uk or 011 44 207 490 8996. I hope we will have the chance to speak soon!
All the Best,
Amy Kagelmacher
Mr. Tibbets,
I was wondering if you could tell me what it was like from your point of view? How it made you feel? Are you proud of it? Or if you ever regret it? I'm working on a short story and could use as much information as possible. Anything at all would be great...
thanks!
Hello General, I have just recently learning more about your distinguished career and all it meant to our servicemen and women and our country. I am trying to find out some information also about Lucy. Can you direct me to how I can find her if still alive or a relative that I might inquire about her?
Imbecil pagarás
General Tibbets,
I am a registered nurse. Today I met an 86 year old patient who said that she has your first wings as a pilot. You had given them to a sweetheart and when you broke up she no longer wanted to keep the wings but did not want to throw them away so she gave them to her best friend who was my patient that I took care of today.
I promised my patient that I would try to get in touch with you as she wishes to return the wings to you or to one of your family. If you are interested I will put you in touch with her so she may correspond with you directly.
We are in Charlotte, NC.
Thank you,
Larry Hosier RN
General, eventhough you are with the Lord today, I and many others will remember the sacrifices you made for us.
Thank you sir.
Daniel Prakash James
Malaysia
You were a hero venturing into the unknown. Thank you.