The Pilot Who Dropped The Atomic Bomb on Hiroshima Was Worried That His Gravesite Would Be Used For Political Reasons

Brigadier General Paul Tibbets, well-known for commanding the Enola Gay during the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, rose to fame in the United States following World War II. Despite receiving widespread recognition, Tibbets stated his wish to not have both a funeral service and a gravestone upon his passing.

Paul Tibbets enlists with the US Army Air Corps

Paul Tibbets was an abdominal surgeon before joining the US Army Air Corps (USAAC). Originally signed up for three years, he earned his pilot wings in 1938 and chose to continue active duty upon the outbreak of World War II . While renowned for his service in the Pacific Theater, Tibbets initially participated in bombing missions in North Africa and France. Notably, he served as Gen. George Patton 's personal pilot from 1940-41.

Paul Tibbets was a test pilot for the Boeing B-29 Superfortress

In the autumn of 1943, Paul Tibbets was called back to be a test pilot during the development of the Boeing B-29 Superfortress . He discovered that, by removing armor plating and armaments, the bomber became 7,000 pounds lighter and performed better. After a year, he was assigned to retrain other pilots in the 17th Bombardment Operational Training Wing (Very Heavy).

In 1944, Tibbets was appointed to lead the 509th Composite Group , which was tasked with the training and deployment of atomic bombs from B-29s.

Bombing of Hiroshima

In May 1945, Paul Tibbets and his crew were transferred to Tinian, where they carried out conventional bombing missions on Japanese-held islands alongside their training on atomic bomb prototypes.

When the 509th group was given the green light to bomb Japan, Tibbets took on the role of pilot for the bomber assigned to release Little Boy , the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima . He christened the plane Enola Gay , as a tribute to his mother.

Dropping Little Boy

With his crew and two observation aircraft in tow, Paul Tibbets embarked on the mission on August 6, 1945, dropping Little Boy over Hiroshima. Remembering the incident, he recalled the rapid formation of a mushroom cloud over the Japanese city after Little Boy detonated.

While some of his crew members took part in later missions involving the dropping of the second atomic bomb , Fat Man , on Nagasaki, Tibbets did not join them. Nonetheless, he earned the distinction of being the first individual in history to deploy an atomic weapon against an enemy city.

Paul Tibbets returns home as a war hero

Paul Tibbets was a celebrated figure of the Second World War, receiving the Distinguished Service Cross for his contributions. President Harry Truman even invited him to the White House , in recognition of his remarkable achievements.

In 1976, Tibbets participated in a re-enactment of the bombing of Hiroshima at the Harlingen, Texas airshow, drawing criticism from Japan. He clarified that it “was not intended to insult anybody,” leading to an apology from the US government.

Despite ongoing ethical debates about atomic bombs, Tibbets maintained his belief in the necessity of the action. While he wasn't proud of the loss of lives, he believed it brought resolution to the conflict. These convictions against nuclear weapons and warfare influenced Tibbets' choice for his final resting place.

Paul Tibbets' final resting place

In the months leading up to his death, Paul Tibbets' health declined. During this period, he firmly expressed his wish to forego a grave or funeral. He was worried about his burial site possibly becoming a target for protests against America's actions in Japan or opposition to nuclear weapons, and feared its potential desecration.

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Instead of a grave, Tibbets requested cremation and that his ashes be scattered over the English Channel. He chose this location because he had flown over it many times during the war. Following his death on November 1, 2007, at the age of 92, his family honored his wishes and scattered his ashes accordingly.