World War II Honoree

George E. Peth

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Marinette, Wisconsin

Honored By

Ms. Adella H. Peth

Relationship

Sister

Served as a Flight Engineer in a B-29, 20th Combat Squadron, 8th Air Force. Served in Okinawa during a typhoon. Lost everything except the clothes on his back. After the storm passed and the waters calmed, he noticed something floating in the ocean. Walked out to get it and it was his prayer book. From Okinawa, sent to Tinian. From there, helped load the atomic bomb on the B-29 Enola Gay, to Hiroshima. The bomb was sent from the U.S. in 3 parts; some by air and some by boat. The bomb was assembled in flight to Hiroshima. The B-29 left at approximately 2:15 a.m. and did not return until mid-afternoon. After the return mission, he checked the plane and the gas tank needle was on empty. If the mission had not been successful his plane and crew were the next in line to go.