Dayton
Business Journal...
Last
crew
member from Enola Gay to appear at Dayton Air show
by Joe
Cogliano
Thursday,
May 10, 2012
The last
surviving crew member of the plane that dropped the first atomic bomb
will make
a rare appearance at the 2012 Vectren Dayton Air Show.
Show
officials announced Thursday that Major Theodore “Dutch” Van Kirk — who
served
as navigator on the August 6, 1945 flight of the Enola Gay to
Hiroshima, Japan
— will be meeting with spectators at the Humana Salute to Veterans
Center,
along with viewing the B-17 “Yankee Lady.”
Dubbed
“four-engine fighters” by the Japanese, the Flying Fortresses were
noted for
their ability to stay in the air after experiencing the fierce attacks
of the
enemy.
In addition,
the U.S. Air Force Heritage Flight — QF-4 Phantom and the WWII-era P-51
Mustang
flying together in formation — will be on display.
“We’re
extremely proud to be able to bring these exceptional attractions to
our
spectators,” said Michael Emoff, chairman of the United States Air
& Trade
Show Board of Trustees. “Having Major Van Kirk join this celebration is
an
honor.”
The 38th
annual show — headlined by the U.S. Navy Blue Angels — will be held on
July 7
and 8 at the Dayton International Airport.
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and other articles at Dayton Daily News
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