Charles Sweeney Autograph

Profession:
(1919-2004) Officer in the United States Army Air Forces during World War II and the pilot who flew Bockscar carrying the Fat Man atomic bomb to the Japanese city of Nagasaki on August 9, 1945

Year of Birth: 1884

Charles William Sweeney was a prominent figure in the United States Air Force and is best known for his involvement in the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki during World War II.

Born on December 27, 1919, in Lowell, Massachusetts, Sweeney displayed an early interest in aviation. Following the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Forces and underwent flight training. By 1945, Sweeney had risen to the rank of captain and was selected to be part of the 509th Composite Group, a special unit tasked with delivering atomic bombs.

On August 6, 1945, Sweeney piloted the B-29 bomber, Enola Gay, which dropped the first atomic bomb, code-named "Little Boy," on Hiroshima, resulting in the deaths of approximately 140,000 people. Sweeney later expressed conflicting emotions about the mission, acknowledging the devastating loss of life but stating that he believed it was necessary to bring the war to a swift end.

Just three days later, on August 9, Sweeney commanded another B-29, named Bockscar, which dropped an atomic bomb nicknamed "Fat Man" on Nagasaki, causing the deaths of around 70,000 individuals. This marked the first and only use of nuclear weapons in warfare.

After World War II, Sweeney continued his military career, serving in various capacities including as a commander of the 30th Bombardment Group during the Korean War. He later attained the rank of brigadier general before retiring from the Air Force in 1976.

Throughout his lifetime, Sweeney faced significant scrutiny and criticism for his involvement in the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. However, he maintained that his actions were justified given the circumstances of the war. Charles William Sweeney passed away on July 16, 2004, leaving behind a legacy that continues to provoke debate and reflection on the use of nuclear weapons.