This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/20/2024

Offered is an incredible Japanese 100 Yen Bill Signed by the crews of the Enola Gay (Hiroshima) and Bockscar (Nagasaki) Bombers. The accompanying letter from George Caron, the tail gunner on the Enola Gay, tells the remarkable story:

This note has been signed by the B-29 crews that dropped the Atomic Bombs on Japan. The front side is the crew of the ENOLA GAY and the reverse side the crew that flew BOCKS CAR, with the exception of Ashworth and Barnes.

An item that may be confusing is the title of the crew on the reverse side. It was the crew of the GREAT ARTISTE that flew the Nagasaki mission, but they used BOCKS CAR. The GREAT ARTISTE was fitted with instruments and flew both missions. The crew of the GREAT ARTISTE flew BOCKS CAR with the bomb.

On the front side Bob Lewis signed twice and Beser, who flew both missions, signed both sides.

I got most of the signatures shortly after the Japanese surrender but a few were obtained later therefore those were done with ball point pens.

Shortly after the surrender of Japan, the officers of both crews went to Japan. Bob Lewis, our co-pilot, brought back some Japanese currency and sold some to us enlisted men. We all got to signing them for each other but I don't recall if anyone else got both crews to sign the same note.

Signatures include Paul Tibbets Jr., Robert A. Lewis (twice, one signed as "Bob"), Wyatt E. Duzenbury, Richard Jeppson, Bob Caron, Jacob Besser (twice), Thomas Ferebee, Dutch Van Kirk, Robert H. Shumard, Joe S. Stiborik, Richard Nelson, William Parsons, Fred Olivi, Ray Gallagher, John D. Kuharek, Albert DeHart, James F. Van Pelt Jr., Edward Buckley, Charles Albury, Abe Spitzer, Kermit K. Beahan, and Charles W. Sweeney.

Both the signed yen and letter are accompanied by LOAs  Beckett Authentic.

1945 Japanese 100 Yen Bill Signed by Crews of Enola Gay (Hiroshima) and Bockscar (Nagasaki) Bombers (Beckett Authentic)
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Minimum Bid: $1,500
Final prices include buyers premium: $1,725
Number Bids:1
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