Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Colonel

Unit:

393rd Bombardment Squadron, 509th Composite Group, U.S. Army Air Forces

Awarded on:

August 18th, 1945

"For extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a B-29 Very Heavy Bomber in the 393d Bombardment Squadron, 509th Composite Group (VH), TWENTIETH Air force, while participating in a bombing mission on 6 August 1945, over Japan. On this date Colonel Tibbets flew a B-29 type aircraft in a daring daylight strike against the city of Hiroshima on the main island of Honshu, Japan, from a base in the Marianas Islands carrying for the first time a type of bomb totally new to modern warfare. Flying the 1,500 miles of open water to the coast of Japan, he guided his plane over the island of Shikoku and the Inland Sea, threatened with the constant danger of anti-aircraft. He successfully dropped his bomb upon reaching the Target city, this single attack being the culmination of many months of tireless effort, training and organization unique in the Army Air Forces history, during which he constantly coped with new problems in precision bombing and engineering. The result of this attack was tremendous damage to the city of Hiroshima, contributing materially to the effectiveness of our strikes against the enemy. By extraordinary flying skill, gallant leadership, and successful performance of the flight despite considerable danger, Colonel Tibbets thereby rendered outstanding, distinguished and valorous service to our Nation."

Headquarters, U.S. Strategic Air Forces, General Orders No. 15

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Colonel

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Colonel

Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster

Period:

Vietnam War (1955-1975)

Rank:

Brigadier General

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Vietnam War (1955-1975)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

With three service stars

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

With two service stars

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

With one service star

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

With a silver and oak leaf cluster

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)