Duzenbury, Wyatt Edwin.

Back to all people

- Medals

united statesairforce

Duzenbury, Wyatt Edwin, born on 06-04-1913, in Edmore, Montcalm County, Michigan, the son of Wyatt A. Duzenbury (1866-1939) and his wife Anna E, born Cuuningham, Duzenbury (1872-1945). Wyatt had one brother and two sisiters Rupert R Duzenbury ( 1901-1946), Doris Eno (1902-1958) and Helen Rachael Duzenbury Dorriel-Goerner (1909-1996).Wyatt was a veteran of World War II, enlisted in the Army Air Corps  in 1942 and was the flight engineer aboard the B-29, Enola Gay , the plane of the 509th Composite Group that dropped the Atomic Bomb on Hiroshima on 06-08-1945. The pilot was Paul Warfield Tibbets, Major Thomas W. Ferebee was the bombardier, Sergeant Georg R. Caron    the tail gunner, and Richard H. Nelson    the radio operator.

Robert Alvin Lewis      the co pilot, who died 18-06-1983, age 65, in Newport News, Newport. Radar operator Sergeant Joseph Stiborik He passed away in Rockdale, Texas on 30-06-1984, age 80. Capt. Theodore “Dutch” Van Kirk, navigator 
who died 28-07-2014, age 93, in Stone Mountain, Georgia. Sergeant Robert H. Shumard Assistant flight engineer
  He died 24-04-1967, age 46, in Allen Park, Wayne County, Michigan, and is buried at White Chapel Memorial Park Cemetery Troy, Oakland County, Michigan, 2nd Lieutenant Morris R. Jeppson – Assistant weaponeer he died 30-03-2010, age 87, in Las Vegas, he was cremated, and the ashes scattered over the Nevada Desert. Navy Captain William S. “Deak” Parsons – Weaponeer and bomb commander Parson died 05-12-1953, age 52, in Bethesda, Montgomery County, Maryland, USA, and  buried at Arlington. 1st Lieutenant Jacob Beser – Radar countermeasures (also the only man to fly on both of the nuclear bombing aircraft) Beser died 17-06-1992, age 71, and is buried at Baltimore Hebrew Cemetery Reisterstown, Baltimore County, Maryland, VS
The President of the United States of America, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, authorized by Act of Congress 09-07-1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant Wyatt E. Duzenbury, United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action while engaged in aerial flight against the Japanese Empire on 06-08-1945. Staff Sergeant Duzenbury was the Flight Engineer for a combat crew of the B-29 aircraft of the 393rd Bombardment Squadron File:393d Bomb Squadron.jpg, 509th Composite Group, Twentieth Air Force, which flew from a base in the Marianas Islands to drop on the city of Hiroshima, Japan, the first atomic bomb to be used in warfare.  Flying 1500 miles over open water to the coast of Japan, they manned their assigned positions and crossed the island of Shikoku and the Inland Sea. They constantly faced the danger of being hit by anti-aircraft fire, enemy fighters, or suffering mechanical or other failures which would intensify the risks of carrying this powerful missile. Throughout the mission the element of hazard from the unknown prevailed, for this was the first time that this bomb, much more destructive than any other in existence, had been dropped from an airplane.
  The effect it would have on the airplane and these crew members was only to be estimated. Shortly after 09.00 they brought the plane in over the city, and at 09.15 the bomb release was pressed. The bomb cleared, and fell toward the planned objective. They then headed from the area and despite a minor effect from the detonation, returned safely to their home base. By their courage and skillful performance of duty achieved in outstanding fashion despite the dangers involved in accomplishment of this historic mission, these individuals distinguished themselves by extraordinary achievement and reflect great credit on themselves and the Army Air Forces.

Death and burial ground of Duzenbury, Wyatt Edwin.

150duzenbury    Duzenbury died at the age of 79 of bone cancer, on 31-08-1992. He is buried with his wife Inez, who died age 68 in 1980, on the Georgia Memorial Park of Marietta, Georgia.
 

Message(s), tips or interesting graves for the webmaster:    robhopmans@outlook.com

 

Share on :

end

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *