Last crewman of the Enola Gay dies

MrBug708 · Post by **MrBug708** » Wed Jul 30, 2014 9:15 am

http://www.cnn.com/2014/07/29/us/enola- ... ?hpt=hp_t4

Jefe · Post by **Jefe** » Wed Jul 30, 2014 10:11 am

Enola Gay*

I know a man that was sent to Nagasaki weeks after the bomb was dropped to inspect and report the damage from the "Fat Man." He is 89 and can still remember it very clearly. I actually just saw him last Friday. This was taken on the USS Suwannee on their way to Japan:

From him in 2010:

I was a member of the Suwannee crew from Dec 1944 to Nov 1945. Even though there is no history of the Suwannee after 2 Sept 1945. I was aboard her on Sept when I and others from the Suwannee made a tour of Nagasaki. From there we went to Yokasuka, Japan and on to Guam picked up 600 marines from there to Pearl got another 400 marines. Then to San Diego CA. Dropped off the Marines and went to San Pedro CA. At this point I went home on 30 day leave. I was home for Thanksgiving. I never saw the Suwannee again

http://www.valortours.com/vtmsg/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=35

He was friends with the photographer that took these pics:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set ... 259&type=3

He recalled numerous kamikaze attacks on their ship and was very close to this motor when it hit the deck. Still made it home after several successful attacks

I went through all these pics with him and he kept telling stories

http://www.usssuwannee.org/photos.html

pokinmik · Post by **pokinmik** » Wed Jul 30, 2014 10:16 am

cool pics/story...thanks for sharing.

scumdevils86 · Post by **scumdevils86** » Wed Jul 30, 2014 10:41 am

awesome story...but how was he there where that kamikaze hit when it was in action that took place in the battle off samar in October 1944 and he arrived on the ship in December 1944?

I read a book recently as well about an British soldier who was a POW of the Japanese who arrived in Hiroshima in early September 1945, a few weeks before any American occupation forces had arrived. His story was pretty incredible.

Jefe · Post by **Jefe** » Wed Jul 30, 2014 10:45 am

scumdevils86 wrote:awesome story...but how was he there where that kamikaze hit when it was in action that took place in the battle off samar in October 1944 and he arrived on the ship in December 1944?

Good question, I hadn't noticed the dates below the pics and Im sure he didnt either. It sounds like there were kamikaze attacks even after we dropped the bombs

scumdevils86 · Post by **scumdevils86** » Wed Jul 30, 2014 10:54 am

Jefe wrote:
scumdevils86 wrote:awesome story...but how was he there where that kamikaze hit when it was in action that took place in the battle off samar in October 1944 and he arrived on the ship in December 1944?
Good question, I hadn't noticed the dates below the pics and Im sure he didnt either. It sounds like there were kamikaze attacks even after we dropped the bombs

he certainly would've had to deal with more kamikaze attacks when the Suwannee was stationed off of Okinawa in April-May 1945.

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