Ralph Curry Signed Index Card (PSA) WWII Radio Operator Nagasaki Mission

"**Hand-Signed Index Card by WWII Radio Operator Sgt. Ralph Curry – B-29 *The Great Artiste*, Nagasaki Mission – Encapsulated by PSA/DNA**

Presented is an exceptionally rare and historically important **hand-signed index card by Sergeant Ralph Curry**, who served as the **Radio Operator aboard the B-29 *The Great Artiste*** during the atomic bombing of **Nagasaki, Japan**, on **August 9, 1945**. This original signature is **professionally encapsulated by PSA/DNA Authentication Services**, ensuring its authenticity and long-term preservation.

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### **About Sergeant Ralph Curry**

**Sgt. Ralph Curry** was the **Radio Operator on *The Great Artiste***, one of the three B-29 Superfortress aircraft involved in the **second atomic bombing mission** of World War II. While *Bockscar* dropped the ""Fat Man"" bomb, *The Great Artiste* flew alongside as the **instrumentation and observation aircraft**, outfitted with scientific equipment and personnel to monitor, measure, and document the effects of the atomic blast.

Curry's role was critical in maintaining real-time communications during one of the most secretive and consequential missions in military history. His work ensured coordination between aircraft, ground control, and scientific observers, helping preserve vital data for the U.S. military and the Manhattan Project.

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### **About the 509th Composite Group**

The **509th Composite Group** was a specialized unit of the **United States Army Air Forces**, created for the sole purpose of delivering atomic weapons. Under the command of **Colonel Paul Tibbets**, the group was formed in 1944 and trained in utmost secrecy at **Wendover Army Air Field** in Utah.

Deployed to **Tinian Island** in the Pacific, the 509th conducted the only two atomic bombing missions in history—on **Hiroshima (August 6, 1945)** and **Nagasaki (August 9, 1945)**. Their actions directly led to Japan’s surrender and the end of World War II. The unit's precision, secrecy, and execution marked one of the most significant moments in modern warfare.

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### **Item Details**

- **Signer**: Sgt. Ralph Curry

- **Role**: Radio Operator, B-29 *The Great Artiste*, Nagasaki Mission

- **Unit**: 509th Composite Group, U.S. Army Air Forces

- **Date of Mission**: August 9, 1945

- **Format**: Hand-signed 3x5 index card

- **Authentication**: **Encapsulated by PSA/DNA Authentication Services**

- **Condition**: Clean and bold signature, well-preserved archival quality

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This authentic, encapsulated signature of **Sergeant Ralph Curry** offers a rare opportunity to own a genuine artifact tied directly to the **Nagasaki atomic mission** and the legacy of the **509th Composite Group**. A treasured addition for collectors of **World War II memorabilia**, **military aviation history**, and **Manhattan Project artifacts**."

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.

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.