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National Museum of Nuclear Science & History

Technical Sergeant George “Bob” Caron served as the Tail Gunner on the Enola Gay during the Hiroshima mission. He was the only line of defense that the customized B-29 possessed. Due to his position at the back of the plane, Caron was the first member of the crew to witness the mushroom cloud form over Hiroshima. His secondary role was to be a photographer, so he took pictures of the cloud and the devastation that the bomb had created.

Caron never had any regrets about his role in the atomic bombing of Japan. In 1995, just before he died, Caron published the book Fire of a Thousand Suns about his experiences as the Tail Gunner of the Enola Gay.

Enola Gay Crew Members

Bob Caron at Enola Gay battle station. Courtesy of the Joseph Papalia Collection.

Bob Caron. Courtesy of the Joseph Papalia Collection.

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