509th Composite Group (509th CG)
U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF), 20th Air Force (20th AF)

Background
On December 17, 1944 the 509th Composite Group (509th CG) was established in the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) under Commanding Officer (C. O.) is Colonel Paul W. Tibbets Jr. a pilot with distinguished service in the 97th Bombardment Group (97th BG) in Europe and North Africa. Assigned to the 20th Air Force (20th AF).

The mission of the 509th Composite Group (509th CG) was to conduct "Silverplate" the code name for the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) portion of the Manhattan Project to drop atomic bombs on the home islands of Japan. Includes the 393rd Bombardment Squadron (393rd BS).

393rd Bombardment Squadron (393rd BS)
The 393rd Bombardment Squadron (393rd BS)

Wartime History
On May 9, 1945 fifteen B-29s Superfortress being built by Glenn L. Maritn Aircraft Plant in Bellevue, Nebraska were selected while on the production line by Col. Tibbets for assignment to the group, each with a victor number.

On May 18, 1945 the advance air echelon of the 509th Composite Group arrives North Field on Tinian. On May 29, 1945 Headquarters Squdron (HQ) arrives North Field.

On August 9, 1945 at 3:49am took off is B-29 "Bockscar" 44-27297 piloted by Major Charles W. Sweeney with crew C-15 armed with the plutonium bomb nicknamed "Fat Man" bound for the primary target Kokura but was obscured by smoke and made three unsuccessful bombing runs then diverted to the secondary target Nagasaki.

Commanding Officer (C.O.)
Colonel Paul W. Tibbets Jr.

Contribute Information
Do you have photos or additional information to add?