On 6 August, the Enola Gay dropped the first atomic bomb on Hiroshima inflicting unprecedented destruction - 78,000 people killed and 48,000 buildings destroyed! This was followed on the 9th by a second nuclear bomb attack on Nagasaki. Carried by the B-29, "Bock's Car, " it demolished the city resulting in 35,000 deaths.

Our final mission to Isesaki was flown 15 August. This was small city some 150 miles northwest of Tokyo. Extensive fires resulted, both at Isesaki and other numerous places along the route in. While on final approach to Guam, we learned that the Japanese had unconditionally surrendered. Prisoner of war supply missions followed. This gave us an opportunity to witness the horrified destruction the B-29s had inflicted on so many of the Japanese cities - both large and small. In many cases, heretofore cities ceased to exist. In their place lay only miles of ruin and rubble."