West Wendover in Elko County, Nevada — The American Mountains (Southwest)
509th Composite Group First Atomic Bombardment
Photographed by Dawn Bowen, June 17, 2007
1. 509th Composite Group Marker
The Atomic bomb is too dangerous to be loose in a lawless world ... we pray that (God) may guide us to use it in His ways and for His purposes.
President Harry S. Truman, August, 1945.
In Memory. This monument is dedicated to the members of the 509th Composite Group, United States Air Force, who trained at the Wendover, Utah, Army Air Force Base in 1944-45, for the vital, secret mission of delivering the first atomic bombs on Japanese targets in August 1945. The combined efforts of all members of the United States Army and the United States Navy who created the massive armed service support of this historic endeavor share this important dedication that brought World War II to a much earlier conclusion.
Recognition is given to the scientific teams who created this awesome weapon, those who sacrificed their lives in the Pacific Theatre, Allied forces in other theatres of action during World War II, and all contributed to bring this dreadful war to an end.
The loss of the people of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan are especially recognized in this memorial for their sacrifice to mankinds struggle for a more peaceful world.
May this monument stand as a symbol of hope that mankind will reason and work together for the ultimate goal of world peace.
Erected
this page online
Topics and series. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • War, World II. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #33 Harry S. Truman series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1945.
Location. 40° 44.228′ N, 114° 3.405′ W. Memorial is in West Wendover, Nevada, in Elko County. It is on Wendover Boulevard west of U.S. 93, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Memorial is in this post office area: Wells NV 89835, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this memorial is in Elko Country. It is also in the American Mountain West. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain and also Mexicos Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: First Transcontinental Telephone Line (approx. 0.7 miles away); The Hastings Cutoff (approx. 0.9 miles away); Wendover Will Reclaims Skyline Once Again (approx. 0.9 miles away); The Victory Highway (approx. 0.9 miles away); Lincoln Highway (approx. 0.9 miles away); Western Pacific Railroad (approx. 0.9 miles away); Historic Wendover Field (approx. 0.9 miles away); Ancient Lake Bonneville (approx. 0.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in West Wendover.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.
Additional commentary.
1. 509th Memorial
Photographed by Dawn Bowen, June 17, 2007
2. Composite Group Logo
— Submitted January 30, 2009, by Paul Metro of Edison, New Jersey.
Photographed by Dawn Bowen, June 17, 2007
3. President Truman's Statement
Photographed by Dawn Bowen, June 17, 2007
4. In Memory
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, October 10, 2012
5. Russell Gackenbach and Fat Man
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.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 14, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 24, 2007, by Dawn Bowen of Fredericksburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 4,441 times since then and 58 times this year. Last updated on June 20, 2023, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 24, 2007, by Dawn Bowen of Fredericksburg, Virginia. 5. submitted on October 12, 2012, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
