Enola Gay artifacts aquired by NC Museum of History

The North Carolina Museum of History has acquired artifacts from Thomas Ferebee's military collection, including notes written on Aug. 6, 1945, maps, his dress uniform, desk nameplate, reunion pins and mugs, and a substantial amount of paperwork documenting his 30-year career in the Air Force. Why is this important? Thomas Ferebee (on left in AP file photo)was an North Carolina native and was the one that pulled the lever to drop the atomic bomb on Hirosima and helped end the war. Read the fascinating story about how this unfolded...

News and Observer
March 15, 2007
Craig Jarvis, Staff Writer

Airman's artifacts come to N.C.

RALEIGH - Col. Thomas W. Ferebee had a distinguished military career that lasted from World War II to Vietnam, but it was a single day that ensured him a place in history. On Aug. 6, 1945, he pulled a lever aboard the Enola Gay that dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima.

The attack -- so horrific and so significant in ending the war -- did not define the North Carolina native's life. But it did add historical significance to the souvenirs of his military service that he so scrupulously saved. Now those artifacts have been returned to his home state.

The N.C. Museum of History announced Wednesday that it has acquired Ferebee's military collection, including notes written on that day, maps, his dress uniform, desk nameplate, reunion pins and mugs, and a substantial amount of paperwork documenting his 30-year career in the Air Force. Read more...