WWII Bockscar Crew C-13 Multi Signed 5x7 Photograph (PSA) WWII Atomic Bomb Mission x8 Veterans (PSA)

Hand Signed 5x7 Photograph by WWII Bockscar C-13 Crew Members — Frederick Bock, Leonard Godfrey, Ralph Curry, William Barney, Robert Stock, Ralph Belanger, Hugh Ferguson, and Robert Haider — Encapsulated by PSA/DNA

Offered for auction is an extraordinary 5x7 black-and-white photograph hand signed in permanent marker by eight crew members of Bockscar Crew C-13, including:

Frederick C. Bock – Aircraft Commander

Leonard A. Godfrey – Navigator

Ralph L. Curry – Radio Operator

William L. Barney – Flight Engineer

Robert J. Stock – Tail Gunner

Ralph Belanger – Assistant Flight Engineer

Hugh C. Ferguson – Co-Pilot

Robert Haider – A&E Mechanic

This signed photo has been encapsulated by PSA/DNA Authentication Services, preserving the historically significant autographs of these decorated WWII veterans.

Biography of Bockscar Crew C-13

The C-13 crew, named after Colonel Frederick Bock, was originally slated to fly the B-29 Superfortress Bockscarduring the August 9, 1945 mission to Nagasaki. However, a last-minute aircraft swap led to Major Charles Sweeney's crew piloting Bockscar, while Bock’s C-13 crew took over Sweeney’s usual aircraft, The Great Artiste, to serve as the instrument and scientific observation plane for the Nagasaki mission.

Each member of C-13 played a critical role in the mission’s execution:

Frederick Bock, already a veteran of multiple bombing raids, served as aircraft commander of the scientific observation team.

Leonard Godfrey, navigator, ensured the aircraft remained in position to monitor the blast.

Ralph Curry, radio operator, managed mission communications.

William Barney and Ralph Belanger, engineers, kept the aircraft’s complex systems operational.

Robert Stock, tail gunner, provided defensive readiness.

Hugh Ferguson helped pilot and track radar data during the pivotal operation.

The crew’s aircraft, The Great Artiste, carried scientists and instrumentation to record and observe the detonation of the second atomic bomb—an event that led directly to Japan’s surrender and the end of World War II.

Biography of the 509th Composite Group

The 509th Composite Group was a specialized unit of the U.S. Army Air Forces created in 1944 for a singular, secret mission: to deliver atomic weapons as part of the Manhattan Project. Under the command of Colonel Paul W. Tibbets, the unit trained in total secrecy and was based on Tinian Island in the Mariana Islands.

The 509th was responsible for the Hiroshima mission on August 6, 1945, and the Nagasaki mission on August 9, 1945. Their aircraft, including the Enola Gay and Bockscar, are among the most historically significant in aviation history.

The men of the 509th, including Crew C-13, were handpicked for their skill, discipline, and discretion and played a central role in bringing World War II to its conclusion.

Item Details

Photograph Size: 5" x 7"

Signatures: Frederick Bock, Leonard Godfrey, Ralph Curry, William Barney, Robert Stock, Ralph Belanger, Hugh Ferguson, and Robert Haider

Medium: Signed in permanent marker

Authentication: Encapsulated by PSA/DNA Authentication Services

Condition: Photograph and autographs are well-preserved within PSA/DNA’s protective encapsulation

This remarkable multi-signed photograph represents an important moment in world history and is an invaluable addition to any WWII, aviation, or Manhattan Project collection. A solemn reminder of the technological, military, and moral turning points of the 20th century.

A portion of the sale of this auction will be donated to the General James. H Doolittle Scholarship Fund. The General James H. Doolittle Scholarship Fund was founded to assist college students by awarding one scholarship annually in the maximum amount of $5,000 to a deserving student who is pursuing a baccalaureate or advanced degree in aeronautical engineering or an aerospace science. Students are selected based on their scholastic achievement, school and community participation, demonstrated leadership potential and financial need. More information can be found at the Doolittle Scholarship Funds’ website.

The autograph(s) has been authenticated and encapsulated by PSA/DNA for authenticity purposes.

Authentication: PSA Encapsulated

Due to the uniqueness of each item, please refer to the photos provided in this auction. We offer high resolution images of each item rather than a written description of condition.

This item is being shipped from the Pristine Auction warehouse.