Navy officer (1912–2005) who served as the weaponeer on the Bockscar that dropped the atomic bomb on Nagasaki. TLS, signed “Dick Ashworth,” two pages, 8.5 x 11, personal letterhead, May 28, 2000. In part: “I had command of Torpedo Squadron ELEVEN while on Guadalcanal. My squadron arrived there with the rest of Carrier Repalcement Air Group ELEVEN on Easter morning, 1943.We left in September 1943 to return to the States. When passing through Pearl Harbor I learned that I was to be assigned to Admiral Tumer's staff as Aviation Officer. He had command of the FIFTH Amphibious Force which was to carry out many of the island invasions as we moved west toward Japan…No, I didn't make any of the Pumpkin runs while on Tinian. To do so was not in my job. I was directly involved with the Los Alamos technical group on the island to prepare the bombs. I did exchange the ‘Green’ plugs for the ‘Red’ plugs on the Nagasaki bomb. I gave one of the plugs to General Groves who placed it in the West Point museum. Phil Barnes took the other one and it ended up in the Truman Library in Independence…I was on a too low a level at Los Alamos to have had much contact with Oppenheimer. I did have some, and found him to be a fine man who I admired very much.”; and a glossy 8 x 10 photo of Ashworth in uniform, signed in blue felt tip. In fine condition, with a few creases to photo. RR Auction COA.
We use cookies on this site to improve your experience. By using this site, you accept our use of cookies. To learn more, please see our Privacy Policy.
