Enola Gay crew on center stage

The remaining crew of the Enola Gay flight from Tinian to Hiroshima, headed by pilot Gen. Paul Tibbets, will be among the veterans taking part in the upcoming 60th Anniversary Commemoration of World War II Battles of Saipan and Tinian, which will be held from June 12 to 17.

According to vice chair of the Committee for the Commemoration of the 60th Anniversary of World War II Jerry Facey, the 89-year-old Tibbets, along with Navigator Theodore Van Kirk, and Weaponeer Morris Jeppson will arrive on June 13. Facey said Tibbets will also be accompanied by a nurse and other family members, including his wife.

“It’s quite a task for him to come because of his age,” said Facey. “He is such a magnetic figure, but there are requirements for rest schedule, and we’re going to make sure it’s being followed.”

Facey said the committee is committed to abiding to his rest schedule to “make sure his health is intact.”

Tibbets stay will be highlighted by his keynote address at the 60th anniversary’s formal commemoration ceremony on June 15. He is also expected to have a brief discussion with Northern Marianas College students on that day.

Tibbets is also scheduled to join Gov. Juan N. Babauta and other dignitaries in a reception at the Saipan Museum.

Facey also disclosed that Guy Gabaldon, a veteran marine who captured over 800 prisoners on Saipan, will not be able to be part of the commemoration after suffering a minor stroke not too long ago. He was originally scheduled to speak at several seminars on his Saipan battle experience. Facey, however, said Gabaldon’s wife would be on island for the event.

Both Saipan and Tinian were locations of vital World War II battles in the Pacific region. The land battle on Saipan began on June 15, 1944. This year, the day will be commemorated with a formal parade and ceremony in honor of the veterans.

The island was finally declared secure on July 9, however, at a cost of more than 3,000 Americans and 30,000 Japanese. Further, over 900 of the local population lost their lives.

Tinian was secured on August 1, 1944, but not after 389 U.S. Marines died.

Soon after the islands were secured and runways were constructed, the Americans launched B-29 Bomber attacks against mainland Japan. The Northfield Air Field on Tinian was at one point the busiest airport in the world, with planes taking off every 45 seconds.

On August 6, 1945, Tibbets and his crew began their voyage to Hiroshima with an atomic bomb on board. The result of the atomic bomb explosion and a similar bombing of Nagasaki three days later, convinced the Japanese to surrender. Japan finally surrendered on Sept. 2, 1945, bringing an end to World War II.

The 60th commemoration will feature the arrival of many veterans, their families and friends, historians, and others who will return to honor the men and women who served during the battles.

For more information about the event, visit www.WorldWarII.info or contact Jessica Jordan at marianas04-anniversary@yahoo.com.