WWII B-29 Necessary Evil Crew Signed 5x7 Photograph (PSA) x3 Atomic Bomb Mission Crew

Presented is a hand-signed 5x7 black and white photograph depicting the crew of the Boeing B-29 Superfortress Necessary Evil (Crew C-14), 393rd Bomb Squadron, 509th Composite Group. This historic image has been personally autographed by three original crew members: Richard Cannon, George Brabenec, and James Elder. The signatures have been authenticated by PSA/DNA and are accompanied by their Letter of Authenticity, ensuring both verification and long-term preservation.

The B-29 Necessary Evil holds an enduring place in history as one of the three aircraft directly involved in the Hiroshima atomic mission on August 6, 1945. Assigned to the 509th Composite Group, the specially trained U.S. Army Air Forces unit responsible for the atomic strikes on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Necessary Evil served as the photographic and observation aircraft for the mission.

Flying in support of the Enola Gay, Necessary Evil carried scientific observers, cameras, and monitoring equipment to document and assess the detonation of the world’s first atomic bomb used in warfare. Its flight played a critical role in capturing the historic photographic record and collecting data used in the immediate and long-term analysis of the bombing’s effects.

The signers on this photograph—Richard Cannon, George Brabenec, and James Elder—represent members of Crew C-14 who served aboard Necessary Evil during this critical period. Like all members of the 509th, these men were part of a highly classified and meticulously trained group, tasked with executing missions that would alter the course of world history.

The 509th Composite Group, based on Tinian Island, was the most secretive and specialized air unit of the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II. Its aircrews, support teams, and aircraft were carefully selected and trained for unprecedented missions. Necessary Evil, along with Enola Gay and The Great Artiste, formed the core flight of the Hiroshima strike, ensuring mission success and documentation.

This PSA/DNA authenticated photograph—featuring the signatures of three Necessary Evil crew members—is a rare and historically significant artifact, directly tied to the first atomic bombing mission in human history. Items signed collectively by these crews remain highly coveted by collectors of WWII aviation and Manhattan Project history.

Signers: Richard Cannon, George Brabenec, James Elder

Aircraft: Boeing B-29 Superfortress Necessary Evil (Crew C-14)

Unit: 393rd Bomb Squadron, 509th Composite Group

Mission: Hiroshima Atomic Strike Observation & Documentation – August 6, 1945

Medium: Hand-signed 5x7 black and white crew 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.