2007-11-01 07:06:21 · 7 answers · asked by Well, it's about time! 3 in Arts & Humanities ➔ History
He was a man doing his job. We have to consider the times in which he lived and worked. The Japanese were enemies then.
An invasion of Japan would have been even more costly
(to Americans and to the Japanese) than the atomic bomb dropped by Tibbets and his crew in August 1945. What is the "greater good". Philosophy classes debate the atomic bombing of Hiroshima (and Nagasaki) to this day.
Every World War II soldier I have spoken to about this - -
and I have spoken to dozens over the past 40 years - - -
has said the same thing - - they were glad the bomb was dropped so they did not have to die or be wounded invading Japan to end the war. Japanese resistance to invasion would have been fanatical. They were and are a very strong willed and determined people very capable of self sacrifice.
What would you have felt if YOUR life were at stake?
The madness of World War II had to end. A great shock was required. Paul Tibbets flew a plane - - - at a pivotal time in world history.
2007-11-01 07:17:06 · answer #1 · answered by Spreedog 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My Godfather was the Director of Aviation for this state for 30+ years. I met Col. Tibbets several times. He was a class act all the way and a true American hero.
He saved millions of lives, not only American but Japanese. Had he not and we invaded, it would have made Mussolini and Hitler's regeime look like a walk in the park.
One last thing, had he turned the mission down, there were hundreds if not thousands of other pilots wanting that spot. No one knew what a bomb like that would do to a plane. I put him up there with Yeager status. You can be mad at the people who made the decision (Tibbets didn't make that call) or mad at the event itself, but to place the blame on Tibbets is downright dumb. It would have been done one way or the other.
2007-11-01 10:48:22 · answer #2 · answered by momof1 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
spreedog133's answer is right on the spot. Notice he never calls Tibbets a hero. Dropping the bomb was the least costly (in terms of lives among other measures) way to end the war. That doesn't mean there is anything good about the death of tens of thousands of innocents. Tibbets is neither a hero nor a murderer for piloting the Enola Gay, just a soldier who did what had to be done.
2007-11-01 12:46:59 · answer #3 · answered by Taco D 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
his grandson is named Paul Tibbets III.
He too is an Air Force General
He commanded the same heavy bombardment wing his grandfather did.
With the exception that Tibbets III flies the B-2.
2007-11-01 07:26:31 · answer #4 · answered by yankee_sailor 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He is a murderer of innocent lives. He didn't kill the enemies. He killed thousands and thousands of innocent children, house wives, and elderlys. How would you feel if the opposite happened? We can't just be bias. Paul Tibbets's willingness to pilot the plane that bombed the many lives is no hero in my eyes.
Peace to all.
2007-11-01 09:44:54 · answer #5 · answered by wilson c 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
he was a very nice man in person. my best friend dated his granddaughter for a couple of years. i had the privilege to meet him on a couple of different occasions. he was very down to earth, respectful, and kind. this was a man who was doing what needed to be done at the time. you cannot blame the man for the deaths of all of those people. if he is to be judged it will come now at the hands of god. rest in peace. a true american hero.
2007-11-01 07:17:59 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
He was a patriot who did his duty and was not ashamed.
2007-11-01 07:14:05 · answer #7 · answered by LoneStar 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋