^Lot 316 Enola Gay: Morris Jeppson

Signed book: Enola Gay. Later printing. NY: Stein and Day, 1977. Hardcover with dustjacket, 6.25 x 9.25, 327 pages. Signed on the first free-end page, “Morris Jeppson, Weapon Test Officer, Enola Gay Mission, Hiroshima, 6 Aug 1945.” Under his signature, Jeppson adds a lengthy personal commentary which reads, “Few people remember how or know why atomic bombs were used on Hiroshima and Nagasaki at the end of WWII. How close the World came to domination by Japan and Germany. The atomic bomb did end WWII to then enable the US to put Germany and Japan back on their feet to evolve as good democratic countries. At the time the atomic weapons were used it was not realized the radiation effects of the atomic detonation. In time it was realized primary radiation of x-rays and gamma rays burned people and started fires. Also fission of U235 produced radio by-products that scattered to distribute across Japan.” In fine condition, with some edge wear, creasing, and toning to dustjacket. A rare look into the thoughts of one of the crew members who had a direct hand in ending the second World War.