Charles Sweeney & CD Albury Signed 8x10 Photo (PSA) WWII Bockscar Pilot & Co-Pilot

Presented is a hand-signed 8x10 photograph by Major General Charles W. Sweeney (1919–2004) and Captain Charles Donald “C.D.” Albury (1920–2009), both distinguished members of the B-29 Superfortress Bockscar crew — the aircraft that dropped the second atomic bomb on Nagasaki, Japan, on August 9, 1945. The autographs have been authenticated by PSA/DNA and come with their Letter of Authenticity, ensuring both verification and long-term preservation.

Major General Charles W. Sweeney served as the pilot and aircraft commander of Bockscar during the historic Nagasaki mission. A highly skilled aviator assigned to the elite 509th Composite Group, Sweeney had previously flown as a mission commander on the atomic rehearsal flights and also piloted a backup aircraft during the Hiroshima mission three days earlier. On August 9, 1945, despite difficult weather and fuel limitations, Sweeney and his crew successfully delivered the “Fat Man” atomic bomb over Nagasaki, hastening Japan’s surrender and bringing World War II to an end. After the war, Sweeney continued his Air Force career, rising to the rank of Major General and remaining an advocate for strong national defense and historical education.

Captain Charles Donald “C.D.” Albury served as co-pilot aboard Bockscar during the Nagasaki mission. Like Sweeney, Albury was a veteran member of the 509th Composite Group and had also flown as co-pilot on the B-29 The Great Artiste, which accompanied the Enola Gay during the Hiroshima mission. His calm professionalism under extreme conditions and his role in two of the most consequential flights in history earned him recognition as one of the few airmen to have directly participated in both atomic missions.

This dual-signed 8x10 photograph, authenticated by PSA/DNA, offers collectors an extraordinary opportunity to own a piece of living history—bearing the authentic signatures of the pilot and co-pilot of the Bockscar, whose actions over Nagasaki forever changed the course of the 20th century.

Signers: Major General Charles W. Sweeney (1919–2004) & Captain Charles Donald “C.D.” Albury (1920–2009), Bockscar Crew, 509th Composite Group

Aircraft: Boeing B-29 Superfortress Bockscar

Mission: Atomic bombing of Nagasaki, Japan – August 9, 1945

Medium: Hand-signed in ink on 8x10 photograph

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.