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Photographer: Bill Coughlin
Taken: October 10, 2012
Caption: Russell Gackenbach and Fat Man
Additional Description: 2nd Lt. Russell Gackenbach, a member of the 509th Composite Group, flew on the missions that dropped the atomic bombs at the end of World War II. After secret training in nearby Wendover Army Air Field in Utah, he served as navigator on the photographic plane Necessary Evil, or Plane #91, on the Hiroshima mission on August 6, 1945, and on the Enola Gay during the Nagasaki mission three days later. He was awarded the Air Medal for his participation in the mission, and was discharged in April 1946 as a 1st Lieutenant. He is seen here in front of a replica of the bomb that was dropped on Nagasaki. When this photo was taken, Lt. Gackenbach was one of only three surviving members of the crew.
Submitted: October 12, 2012, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.
Database Locator Identification Number: p223302
File Size: 4.436 Megabytes

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