Enola Gay crew arrives for 60th anniversary

Events commemorating the 60th anniversary of World War II Battles of Saipan and Tinian hit high gear yesterday with the remaining crew of B-29 bomber Enola Gay arriving to grace the occasion with their presence.

The crew, comprising pilot Gen. Paul W. Tibbets, weaponeer Morris R. Jeppson, and navigator Theodore Van Kirk, arrived with family members Sunday night to a warm welcome.

With music from the ’40s in the background and cameras flashing before their eyes, the WWII celebrities walked from the arrival gate to the baggage claim area and out, to be greeted by numerous individuals who want a glimpse at their World War II heroes.

“I am amazed at the changes,” said Van Kirk. “Before it was just a big mass of war machinery and thousands of planes sitting around on the various field, and now it’s built into a very beautiful and lovely island. The people are nice and very peace loving.”

Tibbets, who spoke briefly at the Veterans of Foreign Wars-Department of Pacific Areas 38th Annual Convention at the Dai-ichi Hotel Saipan Beach, commented on his return journey.

“When I was first invited to come here, I said I didn’t want to go. But then I realized that I owe you people here something. I felt that I owe you my presence. I wanted you to see me and make your opinion on who and what you think I am,” he said.

Tibbets spoke of the bombing of Nagasaki and its effect on the war, saying, “What we did when we came here was we joined the side of the underdogs, and I always love moving in and trying to help the underdog in any way that I could. My one objective after I was briefed was to convince the Japanese of the futility to continue to fight, and I think that’s what we did with the Nagasaki bomb. Scholars have proven, and it is evident that the bomb turned the tide.”

Jeppson, for his part, stressed that importance of the role Mariana Islands played in the outcome of the war.

“Many in the world do not realize what was made possible due to the events in the Marianas,” he said. “We had to have the islands. It was the closest we could get to Japan, and that played a big role in turning the war around.”

As for his return to the island, Jeppson said he had been anticipating the trip.

“I had no second thoughts,” he said. “I didn’t know what quite to expect, but everything so far is great. It is far more beautiful and I see a great future growth in tourism as a result.

For his part, Van Kirk stressed that the mission to Japan and everything behind it was worthwhile.

“Many millions of people would have been killed if we did not drop the bomb,” he said. “The problem with people today is that they criticize the using of the bomb, yet they do not know what it’s about. They don’t understand what the situation was. The bomb did a lot of good for the total of mankind.”

The crew, with other WWII veterans, local dignitaries, and guests also took part in various events yesterday including a time capsule dedication, the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Visitor Center and WWII Exhibit Hall at the American Memorial Park, the unveiling of the 60th Commemoration Cancellation Stamp, the VFW Department of Pacific Areas 38th Annual Convention, and the History Alive Seminars.

Preserving the present

Two 10-inch cylinders were filled with messages, newspapers, memorabilia, photos, business cards, etc. yesterday as many gathered at the American Memorial Park to take part in the Time Capsule dedication.

The four-foot long cylinders will be sealed with glass covers at both ends and placed into 12-inch tubes four feet into the ground.

“This is an opportunity for us to preserve the present for the future,” said 60th anniversary organizing committee co-chair Jerry Facey. “

Facey said the tubes will be opened a century from today, June 15, 2104.

Donation to Museum

Jeppson and Van Kirk, along with Gov. Juan N. Babauta and other dignitaries, also took part in a donation ceremony at the CNMI Museum of History and Culture.

The two members of the Enola Gay crew expressed their desire to contribute to the CNMI community by donating various items that will be displayed for learning at the museum as well as to assist with raising funds.

“Their intention was to give something to the museum that would have commercial value, which we could put up for sale to raise funds,” said museum acting executive director Barbara G. Moir.

Among the items donated were 40 posters—all signed by the three remaining Enola Gay crew—that shows details of the Enola Gay mission, two one-hour video tape featuring a historical documentary of the Enola Gay, and copies of a book written by Tibbets.

Van Kirk disclosed that the tape was filmed in 1995 and features various members of the crew.

“The film was made at our direction,” he said. “From a historical standpoint, everything is true and as accurate as you can get. It’s not a Hollywood version.”

Moir said one tape will be placed in the museum’s archive, while the other will be used for a feature.