Many people don’t recognize the name Paul Tibbets and are likely unaware of the pivotal role he once played in world events. At the age of 29, he began assembling a secret team of 1,800 American soldiers to carry out the single most violent act in the history of mankind.
Piloting a plane called the Enola Gay (named in honor of his mother), Tibbets and a crew of 11 others dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan. Thursday marks the 75th anniversary of that dramatic event.
While scholars and activists continue to debate that controversial decision, Tibbets remained convinced he did the right thing and never lost a night’s sleep over it.
The inner thoughts of this complex man are captured in Duty, a thought-provoking book written by journalist Bob Greene. The author shares how Tibbets and his colleagues created a remarkable safety net for all who followed.
Despite enjoying the advantages of those hard-earned protections, many have criticized and condemned the work of earlier generations. Yet it’s important to remember that these individuals were confronted with the twin horrors of the Great Depression and World War II. Instead of being crushed by these daunting challenges, the survivors of that turbulent time emerged stronger and more determined than ever to build a better life for themselves and their families.
They weren’t perfect and never claimed to be. But millions of them worked hard, pursued what seemed right, and left a lasting legacy for their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Those heirs must remember that complicated decisions needed to be made in the heat of war. The Allies were grappling with a worldwide conflict that had dragged on for years and cost millions of lives. In August 1945, more months, perhaps years, of bloodshed seemed possible as generals considered invading Japan.
Revisionists speculate that the war could have ended without using such brutal force. In early 1945, the evidence demonstrated otherwise. Fierce fighting and heavy casualties on Okinawa and Iwo Jima showed the resilience of the Japanese forces. All indications were that conquering the Japanese would be a fight to the death, city by city, neighborhood by neighborhood, house by house.
The atomic bomb changed everything. Tibbets was described as “the man who ended the war.” Many agree that his action helped to save hundreds of thousands of American and Japanese lives because no invasion was needed.
It was a tough choice, but Tibbets didn’t duck the responsibility. Instead, he completed his assignment with precision and skill. While he understood the gravity of his deed, there were no regrets about the mission.
But Tibbets did express a lament during the years before he died in 2007. Tibbets believed the America he fought to defend had largely disappeared.
“It’s not the same country, in many ways,” he explained. “Sometimes, I think that no one really understands the history.”
Tibbets warned that “there is a certain price to be paid — a certain peril, that comes with the lack of being raised in a disciplined environment.” The headlines exploding around us in 2020 indicate that the bill may have come due.
It’s easy to demonize Tibbets and those who dropped the bomb. The discussion over this move will and should continue. Yet those who lend their voices to the great debate have a duty of their own. It’s crucial that they take time to learn history. By doing so, they can better understand complex policy decisions in the context of the times they were made. Failure to do so is intellectually dishonest.
Bob Greene was correct when he said, “No generation has ever given its children a sturdier and more reliable safety net.” The least we can do for Tibbets and his peers is to acknowledge the sweat and sacrifice that went into weaving a net with strands so solidly constructed, the beneficiaries have spent decades enjoying the freedom to challenge its existence.
Kendall Wingrove is a freelance writer from Okemos, Michigan.
