World War II Honoree

Frederick L. 'Dick' Ashworth

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Phoenix, Arizona

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

ASSIGNED TO THE MANHATTAN PROJECT, THAT DEVELOPED THE ATOMIC BOMB. SERVED OVERSEAS IN THE ASIATIC-PACIFIC THEATER WITH THE RANK OF COMMANDER. WAS THE WEAPONEER CHARGED WITH ARMING THE ATOMIC BOMB IN FLIGHT ABOARD THE B-29 SUPERFORTRESS BOMBER 'BOCK'S CAR' THAT DROPPED THE WEAPON NICKNAMED 'FAT MAN' ON NAGASAKI, JAPAN ON AUGUST 9, 1945. TOOK OFF FROM THE ISLAND OF TINIAN ENROUTE TO THE PRIMARY TARGET OF KOKURA, JAPAN BUT DIVERTED TO THE ALTERNATE CITY OF NAGASAKI DUE TO CLOUDS, SMOKE AND FLAK. THE BOMB DETONATED AT 11:02 A.M. AT 1650 FEET ABOVE THE CITY. AFTER DROPPING THE BOMB, THE AIRCRAFT WAS FORCED TO MAKE AN EMERGENCY LANDING ON OKINAWA BECAUSE OF LOW FUEL BEFORE RETURNING TO TINIAN. DURING THE RETURN FLIGHT AFTER DELIVERING THE ORDNANCE, THE CREW HEARD OVER THE RADIO THAT THE JAPANESE GOVERNMENT HAD APPROACHED SWITZERLAND ABOUT SERVING AS AN INTERMEDIATOR FOR SURRENDER NEGOTIATIONS. HIS ACTIONS AND THOSE OF THE CREW THAT PARTICIPATED IN THE ATOMIC BOMBING OF NAGASAKI DIRECTLY RESULTED IN JAPAN'S ACCEPTANCE OF AN UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER ON AUGUST 15, 1945. THEIR ACTIONS ALSO SPARED THE LIVES OF COUNTLESS AMERICANS, ALLIES AND JAPANESE WHO WOULD OTHERWISE HAVE PERISHED IN FIGHTING A PROTRACTED CAMPAIGN ON JAPANESE SOIL. CONTINUED IN SERVICE AFTER THE WAR AND RETIRED WITH THE RANK OF VICE ADMIRAL.