William B. Downey

ChaplainTinian Island

Hiroshima MissionWendover, UT

509th Composite GroupHiroshima MissionManhattan Project VeteranMilitary Veteran

Listen to William B. Downey’s Oral History on Voices of the Manhattan Project

Captain William Downey served as the Protestant chaplain for the 509^th Composite Group and led the crew of the Enola Gay in prayer before they departed for Hiroshima. Throughout his life, Downey maintained a relationship with the members of the group.

William Downey. Courtesy of the Joseph Papalia Collection.

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Attended Tulane University.