Letter from George R. Caron

Dec 4, 1978

Hello Randall,

I received your letter last week and your 11 x 14 photos came today. I have finally been able to sit down tonite.

Married my last daughter Sat[urday] in the worst weather possible. To top things off, the lady who was supposed to cater the reception backed out and last week was very hectic. In addition, I'm still getting mail & phone calls on that AP release last Aug 6.

As for the photos, the one is not on the Tinian runway. It was taken after we brought her home to the U.S. It looks like Roswell, New Mexico as near as I can remember.  The other could be Hiroshima but I couldn't name it because I never saw the city at that angle.

You said you enclosed an envelope but there were only stamps. I'll return them as soon as I can get an envelope large enough.

You asked a load of questions in your letter and I’ll try to answer. It may be brief but I have some more mail to get out tonite.

The only guns on the Enola Gay were a pair of 50 caliber in a tail turret. I didn't know if we would have fighter opposition but if there was, my job, primarily was to get them before they got us. I feel I would have tried like hell to do the best I could to accomplish that. As far as enemy bullet hitting the A Bomb —who knows?

We all wore extra dark polaroid glasses for the flash. We did not fly thru the cloud as we were concerned with getting away from the blast. It would have  been foolish to fly thru the cloud with all its' radioactivity.

There are two recent books out which tells the story well. "Enola Gay" by Thomas & Witts is now out in paperback and "The Tibbet Story" just came out in hard cover. But very enlightening.

Hope this letter answers your questions. Will get your photos in the return mail as soon as possible.

With kindest regards,

I remain,

Sincerely,

Bob

Col. George R. (Bob) Caron, CAF