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National Museum of Nuclear Science & History

John E. Cantlon

Co-pilot on Big StinkNagasaki Mission

Tinian IslandWendover, UT
509th Composite GroupManhattan Project VeteranMilitary VeteranNagasaki Mission
North Airfield at Tinian Island.

John E. Cantlon served as a 2nd lieutenant in the 393rd Bombardment Squadron. He participated in the mission to Nagasaki as the co-pilot of the Big Stink, though he was regularly assigned to the Necessary Evil. 

C-14 Crew on Tinian. Cantlon is standing in the top row, fourth from the left. Photo courtesy of Richard H. Campbell and the Janet Chapman Pence Collection from the Air Force Museum.

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