Atomic Bomb Display

The two bombs dropped on Japan on August 6^th and 9^th 1945 had a very sizeable support group (1,800 plus men) providing virtually any and everything to make these missions successful.  This entire group was known as the 509^th Composite Group, and they were responsible for harnessing this new form of energy and ushering in a new era, initially through the military use of the bombs.

The World War II Victory Museum in Auburn, Indiana has set out to tell the story of the 509^th Composite Group in a way that is not seen in any other museum setting.  While a couple other museums proudly display the actual ENOLA GAY and BOCKSCAR B-29’s, they provide little in the way of acknowledging the contribution and effort of the entire Group.

A sizeable collection of “one of a kind” artifacts from all aspects of the Group comprise the new display.   Some of the rarities include: Dutch Van Kirk’s Dress Uniform and foot locker, the Navigator on the ENOLA GAY, Trinitrite, the sand melted into glass from the Trinity test at Almoragordo New Mexico. What is affectionately called the “Atomic Scooter” which was a motor scooter built from scrap aircraft, Japanese bicycle parts, and Army surplus components.   It is likely the only motorized land vehicle to still be in existence that was in use on Tinian Island.  There are items of some type representing every one of the units that made up the Group.  There is a multitude of images showing the men, aircraft, and locations that the Group’s activities took place, from Wendover, Utah to TinianIsland in the Pacific.  It becomes apparent that the veterans of the Group themselves have their stamp of approval on this endeavor as many of the visual images have their comments and signatures on them, again making this display all the more unique.

In addition to the atomic bomb display, the story of the USS Indianapolis and its contribution to delivering critical components for the Hiroshima bomb is told in photos and artifacts.  The story then of the ships’ sinking and the ultimate rescue of the survivors is revealed in extensive detail.

The driving force behind this collection was John Wassell.  He has been involved with the veterans of the 509^th Composite Group since the mid 1990’s.  The son of a WWII Army veteran who echoes the importance of the atomic bombs in not requiring him to be involved in the invasion of Japan after slugging it out across Europe makes an important statement of a personal investment in the issue.  The controversy at the Smithsonian Institute some ten years ago regarding the display of the ENOLA GAY itself and some attempts at history revisionism regarding the Bombs prompted Wassell to action.  He did not set out with the vision to build museum level displays, but ultimately that has now become the result with the prime thrust of his efforts landing at the National Military History Center.  “This museum has the potential of being one of the premiere collections and displays in the country on telling the complete story of World War II and I am pleased that this addition covering the atomic bombs can help bring this story to the public in a historically correct way”.