ENOLA GAY CREW (GEORGE R. CARON) - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 12/17/1990 - HFSID 257620

ENOLA GAY CREW: GEORGE R. CARON
George R. Caron, tailgunner of the Enola Gay and the first man to see the mushroom cloud over Hiroshima, wrote this letter to an autograph hunter in 1990. He thanked the recipient for letting him sign the photos, as "The trip to the reunion sure put a hole in a very limited budget".
Autograph letter signed "George R. Caron". 1 page, 6x9. Dec. 17, 1990. In full: "Dear Al, Signed the pictures [not included] as you requested and thanks for your generosity. It will sure come in handy at this time. The trip to the reunion sure put a hole in a very limited budget. Social Security wouldn't pay for it as I'm not a Congressman. I changed one caption as it was not a plate camera and took off the ogles right after the flash subsided. Enclosed is a flyer [not enclosed] I've been sending out to those I think might be interested. I want to start a fund early for the Seattle reunion. Thought you or someone you know might be interested. There are not very many mushroom cloud pictures signed by me. Just some friends and my kids. Those from strangers, I return unsigned. Thanks again & best wishes. Sincerely,". Caron (1919-1995) was the tail gunner on the Enola Gay on its historic mission to drop an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan on August 6, 1945. Seated in the rear of the B-29, he was the first to see the mushroom cloud. Caron had been given a camera at the last moment and snapped a roll of photographs as the mushroom cloud ascended. His photographs of the explosion were printed on millions of leaflets that were dropped over Japan the next day. Lightly toned and creased, otherwise in fine condition.