Fw: [SOC] Fw: ARC5 Digest, Vol 46, Issue 1

[Bert H. Cook]

Ian C. Purdie wrote:
> Yes it is most sad the passing of Paul Tibbets Jnr.
>
> While I may or may not have opinions on those events, I am totally sure Paul
> Tibbets was a patriot, doing his duty in a most professional manner.
>
> Irrespective, the events of that fateful day shortened the war immeasurably and
> saved countless lives both Allied and Japanese.
>
> Folks who have subsequently sought to single him out have absolutely no concept
> of the events at those times and are total fools. Would they regard a death toll
> of US, Allied and Japanese running into the millions as an acceptable
> alternative? They deservedly earn my scorn. I'm not the gung-ho type but I
> recognise when terrible decisions need to be taken. More people were killed in
> Japan in the few days leading up to Hiroshima than on the actual day.
>
> To attribute this [Hiroshima] to one person simply indicates these people know
> absolutely nothing of history nor the events of the time. Like all of us,he was
> simply another cog in the wheel.
>
> I regard the man simply as another pilot with a mission and he and crew carried
> it out with consumate professionalism.
>
> End of story, anything else is pure BS. Would I wish it were any other
> circumstance with the benefit of hindsight? YES but that is not being realistic.
>
> May the man forever rest in a well deserved peace.
>
> I do not regard him as a hero, simply a professional pilot who did his most
> unpleasant job to the very best of his ability. He deserves far more than some of
> the rubbish which is now apparently going around.
>
> FWIW
>
> 72/73's
>
> Ian C. Purdie
> Budgewoi N.S.W. Australia - Co-ords -S33° 13' 54.70", +E151° 33' 4.75"
> VK2TIP "I'll give ya the TIP mate" QRP-L #1978. SOC #171 FP#91
> http://www.electronics-tutorials.com/
>
> Bob Roske wrote:
>
>   
>> I just heard this from a QCWA Member,
>>
>>     
>>> According to a famous ham website,
>>> Paul Tibbets call sign was K4ZVZ.
>>> He let it go because of poor hearing.
>>>       
>> According to vanityhq.com Paul held the call until 1998.
>>
>> 73,
>> Bob, N0UF, SOC #521
>> QCWA Webmaster
>>     
>
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>   
          Ian; It is with great sadness that I hear this news. I worked 
at the Livermore National Laboratory from 1962, after I finished my 
active duty in the Navy, until 1965. I was Choir Director at Our Saviors 
Lutheran Church, which was then out on East Ave. in Livermore, which 
went from town out to the Lab. I continued in the church there until 
1967 when my family and I  moved to Dublin, CA where I was then active 
in another Lutheran Church congregation. He worked in the weapons 
program there. I worked in the Neutronics Division at the Livermore Pool 
Type Research Reactor there. Paul sang in the choir. He had a beautiful 
Baritone voice. I also remember that he always had what I believe was a 
Secret Service Guard with him, who used to sit in the back of the choir 
loft. There also were guards at his home, and accompanied his children, 
who were, I believe in High School at Livermore High School. The 
government gave him the protection he had because of a number of threats 
made against he and his family, because of his role in the war. The last 
time I saw him was at an airshow at Salinas, CA in October of 1990. He 
seemed to be in good health then, and was signing a book he authored 
about his role in the war. I also thoroughly knew his view about the job 
he was called to do. My father was also in the war, as a Navy Pilot on 
several different aircraft carriers. The war ended, just days before my 
5th birthday, and I remember how much I missed my dad when he was away. 
I have certainly thanked God that the war did end before millions more 
people died in it. It's interesting however that this has been the first 
time I have known that he was also an Amateur Radio Operator. I don't 
believe he was probably active during the period that he lived and 
worked in Livermore. 73's, and TNX again for sending this info. Bert, 
K6CSL, SOC#763