ARCHIVE OF WWII LETTERS OF “DUTCH” VAN KIRK, NAVIGATOR ON THE ENOLA GAY WHICH DROPPED THE FIRST ATOMIC BOMB.

Theodore J. “Dutch” Van Kirk entered the United States Army Air Corps in 1941. As a young lieutenant Van Kirk flew as navigator on 58 combat missions with the 97th Bomb Group over occupied France and later deep into Germany to some of the most heavily defended targets of the Third Reich. In addition, Van Kirk was selected to fly General Mark Clark on a secret mission to negotiate with the Free French in Algeria as a prelude to Operation Torch, the invasion of North Africa. In addition, Van Kirk was chosen as navigator aboard the aircraft that carried General Dwight D. Eisenhower to the invasion site. Pilot Paul Tibbets, navigator Van Kirk, bombardier Thomas Ferebee and fellow crew members aboard the B-17 Flying Fortress “Red Gremlin” were eventually selected as the primary members of the crew of the Enola Gay, the world’s first atomic bomber. Van Kirk who died July 28, 2014 was the last surviving crew member of the Enola Gay. Most WWII American aviators had little training going into the Army Air Corp. Dutch was an exception in that he attended flight school in Chicago prior to going into service when he went into Air Corp training. This archive consists of about 300 letters of which 137 are written by Dutch to his family and friends concerning his training and early service in the Air Corp October 4, 1941 through February 7, 1944. There are no letters concerning the atomic bomb as those letters are archived elsewhere but this grouping does detail his time preparing for his historic Enola Gay flight The remainder of the letters are to Dutch from family and friends, many with envelopes bearing military addresses. Dutch had his training in navigation at Kelley Field, San Antonio, Texas where some letters are from. In 2012 Dutch published his biography My True Course: Dutch Van Kirk, Northumberland to Hiroshima. This archive no doubt was used in compiling this biography. PROVENANCE: Family of Theodore “Dutch” Van Kirk. CONDITION: Very good overall. Interested parties should view this incredible archive in person. 48849-1 JS (10,000-30,000) – Lot 3511

Auction: Firearms - October 2015

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	3511	$0.00	ARCHIVE OF WWII LETTERS OF “DUTCH” VAN KIRK, NAVIGATOR ON THE ENOLA GAY WHICH DROPPED THE FIRST ATOMIC BOMB. Theodore J. “Dutch” Van Kirk entered the United States Army Air Corps in 1941. As a young lieutenant Van Kirk flew as navigator on 58 combat missions with the 97th Bomb Group over occupied France and later deep into Germany to some of the most heavily defended targets of the Third Reich. In addition, Van Kirk was selected to fly General Mark Clark on a secret mission to negotiate with the Free French in Algeria as a prelude to Operation Torch, the invasion of North Africa. In addition, Van Kirk was chosen as navigator aboard the aircraft that carried General Dwight D. Eisenhower to the invasion site. Pilot Paul Tibbets, navigator Van Kirk, bombardier Thomas Ferebee and fellow crew members aboard the B-17 Flying Fortress “Red Gremlin” were eventually selected as the primary members of the crew of the Enola Gay, the world’s first atomic bomber. Van Kirk who died July 28, 2014 was the last surviving crew member of the Enola Gay. Most WWII American aviators had little training going into the Army Air Corp. Dutch was an exception in that he attended flight school in Chicago prior to going into service when he went into Air Corp training. This archive consists of about 300 letters of which 137 are written by Dutch to his family and friends concerning his training and early service in the Air Corp October 4, 1941 through February 7, 1944. There are no letters concerning the atomic bomb as those letters are archived elsewhere but this grouping does detail his time preparing for his historic Enola Gay flight The remainder of the letters are to Dutch from family and friends, many with envelopes bearing military addresses. Dutch had his training in navigation at Kelley Field, San Antonio, Texas where some letters are from. In 2012 Dutch published his biography My True Course: Dutch Van Kirk, Northumberland to Hiroshima. This archive no doubt was used in compiling this biography. PROVENANCE: Family of Theodore “Dutch” Van Kirk. CONDITION: Very good overall. Interested parties should view this incredible archive in person. 48849-1 JS (10,000-30,000) – Lot 3511 Auction: Firearms - October 2015 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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ARCHIVE OF WWII LETTERS OF “DUTCH” VAN KIRK, NAVIGATOR ON THE ENOLA GAY WHICH DROPPED THE FIRST ATOMIC BOMB.