Surviving Enola Gay crew member is living history


Cpt. Theodore "Dutch" Van Kirk

By Katelyn Gendron

Reminder Assistant Editor

WEST SPRINGFIELD The dropping of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan has been cited as one of the most controversial events in world history. The events of Aug. 6, 1945, redefined the colossal impacts of warfare and for the men on the Enola Gay, the mission to drop "Little Boy" was just to be one more day at war and one more mission.

Army Air Corps Cpt. Theodore "Dutch" Van Kirk, the navigator of the Enola Gay and only still-surviving crew member, has chosen to live his life in the open since that epic day, appearing at speaking engagements and book signings. Today, at 86 years old he's still making appearances and remains as energetic as his days in the United States military during his 20s.

While sitting down to read his morning paper, Van Kirk spoke with Reminder Publications about his experiences during World War II and his upcoming public appearance at the Antique and Modern Firearms Show at The Big E, Dec. 8 - 9.

At the event Van Kirk will be signing a book he helped to create titled "The 509th Remembered," edited by longtime friends Robert and Amelia Krauss. Van Kirk, like numerous other veterans of the 509th Composite Group over 1,700 military personnel specifically trained in the deployment of atomic bombs contributed to the book through first-hand accounts and personal photographs.

When asked why he continues to make public appearances from speaking engagements at high schools to his appearance in the HBO documentary "White Light/Black Rain, The Destruction of Hiroshima and Nagasaki" Van Kirk said, "I think it's important that as many people as possible know what we did when we dropped the atomic bomb.and why we did drop the atomic bomb. There was a war going on and people forget that. I don't know of any way to win a war without hurting people, which is unfortunate."

Van Kirk added that in order "to end the war something very catastrophic had to happen to the Japanese."

"This was one of the possibilities that cost the least number of lives," he said.

Van Kirk does not deny the causalities of war or the lasting effects that his hand had in dropping "Little Boy" on the citizens of Hiroshima. His conviction for the job that he was required to perform remains uncompromised over 60 years later.

"I have all the sympathy in the world for the survivors," he said. "You're barking up the wrong tree when you say you want to get rid of the bomb but what you really want to get rid of is war period."

Van Kirk stressed the importance of allowing people to experience first-hand accounts of history, as their stories, like his, provide added details not found in history books. He added that he does not shy away from criticism or questions about his military duties, saying, "There are no indiscrete questions, only indiscrete answers."

Van Kirk said he encourages people to come to meet him and learn about World War II, the 509th Composite Group and their missions. Despite his eagerness to educate others Van Kirk remains humbled by his own experiences, citing that he was just one of thousands that could have navigated the Enola Gay.

"I am pleased to have been selected to do it. It could have been anyone. [Brig. Gen.] Paul [Tibbets Jr., pilot and commander of the 509th Composite Group] knew me and needed a navigator and selected me. I don't know if I was a great navigator but we got there and back and that's what's important," he said.

Prior to serving with the 509th Composite Group in 1944, Van Kirk flew 58 missions aboard B-17s in Europe and Africa.

He said that flying in the European Theater was tremendously different than flying in the Pacific Theater of the war. Van Kirk described his experiences aboard the B-17s as a great effort to multitask the navigation of the aircraft while performing the duties of a gunner.

"I hold the honor of the most ammunition fired without hitting a single airplane. I was a lousy shot," he said chuckling.

Overall he said that the European Theater was much more challenging as the Germans were highly skilled and had more sophisticated antiaircraft weaponry.

"I always said if I ever fought another war I'd want the Germans on my side," he said of their superior fighting ability over that of the Japanese, adding, "If Japan had really thought two seconds about attacking the U.S. with what they had they never would have done it.to think they could win a war with us is absolutely crazy."

Upon completion of the war Van Kirk said he had no desire to continue military life or pursue a career in aviation. In 1946, Van Kirk was discharged from the military and went back to college at Bucknell University, where he received his bachelor's and master's degrees in chemical engineering.

"I never expected to live as long as I have. I have four children and a fine family and I'm slowing down but I wouldn't change a thing. I had a good life," he said.

The Antique and Modern Firearms Show will take place in the Better Living Center at The Big E, Dec. 8 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Dec. 9 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

For more information about "The 509th Remembered" go to www.enolagay509th.com.