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National Museum of Nuclear Science & History

Theodore “Dutch” Van Kirk

Navigator on the Enola GayHiroshima Mission

Tinian IslandWendover, UT
509th Composite GroupHiroshima MissionManhattan Project VeteranMilitary Veteran
Dutch Van Kirk and Bob Lewis looking at a map of Japan

Theodore “Dutch” Van Kirk served as a major in the 509th Composite Group’s Headquarters and Base Services Squadron. He was the navigator on the Enola Gay during the Hiroshima bombing mission.

Paul Tibbets and Dutch Van Kirk after the Hiroshima mission. Courtesy of the Joseph Papalia Collection.

Tom Ferebee, Paul Tibbets, Dutch Van Kirk, and Bob Lewis. Courtesy of the Joseph Papalia Collection.

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