Leonard Godfrey Signed 5x7 Photograph (PSA) WWII Atomic Bomb Mission Navigator

"**Hand-Signed 5x7 Photograph by Leonard A. Godfrey Jr. – Navigator on B-29 *The Great Artiste*, Nagasaki Mission – 509th Composite Group – PSA/DNA Authenticated**

Presented for auction is a historically significant **5x7 photograph hand signed by Lieutenant Leonard A. Godfrey Jr.**, who served as the **navigator aboard the B-29 Superfortress *The Great Artiste*** during the **Nagasaki atomic bombing mission on August 9, 1945**. This artifact is **authenticated by PSA/DNA Authentication Services** and includes their **Letter of Authenticity**, certifying the legitimacy of this rare and important signature.

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### **Leonard A. Godfrey Jr. – Navigator, *The Great Artiste*, Nagasaki Mission**

**1st Lieutenant Leonard A. Godfrey Jr.** played a critical role in the **509th Composite Group** as the **navigator aboard *The Great Artiste***, one of the three B-29 Superfortress aircraft participating in the **August 9, 1945 mission to Nagasaki, Japan**. Although the aircraft *Bockscar* delivered the “Fat Man” atomic bomb, *The Great Artiste* was assigned a key role in **instrumentation and observation**, flying alongside the strike aircraft to collect scientific data and document the effects of the detonation.

Godfrey's navigational precision was essential to maintaining proper formation, coordinating timing, and positioning the aircraft for data gathering. His contribution ensured that valuable photographic, atmospheric, and radiation data was captured for post-mission analysis, which became vital to understanding the destructive impact of the new atomic technology.

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### **The 509th Composite Group – The Atomic Mission Unit of WWII**

The **509th Composite Group** was a uniquely formed, highly secretive U.S. Army Air Forces unit created under the **Manhattan Project** in 1944. Commanded by **Colonel Paul W. Tibbets**, the group was composed of specially selected aircrews, scientists, technicians, and ground personnel. They trained in utmost secrecy at **Wendover Army Air Field**, Utah, and later deployed to **Tinian Island** in the Pacific.

Equipped with specially modified **Silverplate B-29 Superfortresses**, the 509th Composite Group carried out the **first and only atomic bombings in warfare**—against **Hiroshima on August 6, 1945**, and **Nagasaki on August 9, 1945**—bringing World War II to an end. *The Great Artiste* served a vital scientific role in both missions, gathering critical data that shaped the world’s understanding of nuclear warfare.

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### **Item Details**

- **Photograph Size**: 5x7 inches

- **Signature**: Hand signed by 1st Lt. Leonard A. Godfrey Jr.

- **Aircraft**: B-29 *The Great Artiste*

- **Mission**: Nagasaki – August 9, 1945

- **Role**: Navigator

- **Unit**: 509th Composite Group

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

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

- **Condition**: Excellent

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This rare signed photograph by Leonard A. Godfrey Jr. is a powerful and tangible connection to one of the most consequential missions in world history. A standout addition to any collection of **World War II memorabilia**, **atomic mission artifacts**, or **military aviation history**, this item commemorates the individuals whose precision and courage helped bring an end to global conflict."

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.