George Brabenec Signed 5x7 Photograph (PSA) WWII B-29 Necessary Evil Hiroshima Mission

"**Hand-Signed 5x7 Photograph by WWII B-29 “Necessary Evil” Crew Member George Brabenec — Authenticated by PSA/DNA**

Offered for auction is a historically significant **5x7 photograph personally hand-signed by George Brabenec**, a crew member of **B-29 ""Necessary Evil"" (C-14)** of the famed **509th Composite Group**. This artifact comes **authenticated by PSA/DNA Authentication Services** and is accompanied by their **Letter of Authenticity**, certifying the authenticity of this rare signature from a veteran of one of World War II’s most consequential missions.

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### **George Brabenec – Crew Member of B-29 “Necessary Evil”**

George Brabenec proudly served as a member of the crew aboard **B-29 Superfortress “Necessary Evil”**, aircraft number C-14 of the **509th Composite Group**. On **August 6, 1945**, “Necessary Evil” flew as the **observation and photography aircraft** during the historic atomic bombing mission over **Hiroshima, Japan**. Its critical role was to document the explosion and gather scientific data and visual evidence of the first combat deployment of an atomic bomb.

Brabenec’s contributions during this mission helped capture the historic images and technical information that would later inform both military and civilian understanding of atomic warfare and its global implications.

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### **509th Composite Group – The Atomic Bomb Missions**

Formed in 1944 under the command of **Colonel Paul W. Tibbets**, the **509th Composite Group** was the U.S. Army Air Forces unit selected to execute the atomic bombing missions that would bring about the end of World War II. Based at **Wendover Army Air Field** and later deployed to **Tinian Island** in the Marianas, the 509th was comprised of handpicked pilots, aircrew, scientists, and support personnel.

The group flew two atomic bomb missions in August 1945: **“Enola Gay”** dropped the uranium bomb “Little Boy” on Hiroshima, and **“Bockscar”** dropped the plutonium bomb “Fat Man” on Nagasaki. Alongside these aircraft, **“Necessary Evil”** flew in formation to document the effects of the Hiroshima blast — a role as vital to history as the strike itself.

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### **Item Details**

- **Photograph Size**: 5x7 inches

- **Signature**: Hand-signed by George Brabenec

- **Aircraft**: B-29 “Necessary Evil” (C-14), 509th Composite Group

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

- **Includes**: PSA/DNA **Letter of Authenticity**

- **Condition**: Excellent

This signed photograph represents a direct link to one of the most pivotal events in 20th-century history. A rare and meaningful addition to any collection of **World War II memorabilia, aviation history, or atomic mission artifacts**, this item honors the legacy of George Brabenec and the men of the 509th Composite Group whose actions shaped the outcome of the war and the world."

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) includes an official PSA/DNA hologram and matching LOA for authenticity purposes.

Authentication: PSA LOA

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.