Nuclear Museum Logo
Nuclear Museum Logo

National Museum of Nuclear Science & History

Roderick F. Arnold

Flight Engineer on The Great ArtisteNagasaki Mission

Tinian IslandWendover, UT
509th Composite GroupManhattan Project VeteranMilitary VeteranNagasaki Mission
Bockscar Original (C-13) Crew

Technical Sergeant Roderick F. Arnold (1917-1998) was a Flight Engineer assigned to the Bockscar’s original crew. He was a member of the 393rd Bombardment Squadron, a segment of the 509th Composite Group. Before the Nagasaki mission, a mechanical complication forced Major Sweeney and the crew of the Great Artiste to comandeer the Bockscar to carry Fat Man. During the Nagasaki Mission, Arnold flew as the Flight Engineer on the Great Artiste, which acted as an observation ship, along with the rest of the original Bockscar crew.

Related Profiles

Norris W. Embrey

Chicago, IL

Norris W. Embrey was a laboratory assistant at the University of Chicago’s Metallurgical Laboratory (“Met Lab”) during the Manhattan Project.

J. B. McCullough

Tinian Island

J. B. McCullough served in the 509th Headquarters and Base Services Squadron.

Michael J. Gamelier

Tinian Island

Michael J. Gamalier sesrved in the 603rd Air Engineering Squadron. 

Dale R. Meyer

Tinian Island

Dale R. Meyer served in the 603rd Air Engineering Squadron.