Charles Sweeney
| Charles W. Sweeney | |
|---|---|
USAF picture
|
|
| Born |
December 27, 1919 Lowell, Massachusetts |
| Died | July 16, 2004 (aged 84) Boston, Massachusetts |
| Allegiance |
 United States of America
|
| Service/branch |
 United States Air ForceUnited States Army Air Corps |
| Years of service | 1941–1976 |
| Rank |
 Major General
|
| Commands held |
393rd Bombardment Squadron 102nd Tactical Fighter Wing |
| Battles/wars |
World War II Atomic Bombing of Hiroshima Atomic Bombing of Nagasaki |
| Awards |
Silver Star Air Medal |
Major General Charles W. Sweeney (December 27, 1919 – July 16, 2004) was an officer in the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II and the pilot who flew Bockscar carrying the Fat Man atomic bomb to the Japanese city of Nagasaki on August 9, 1945. Separating from active duty at the end of World War II, he later became an officer in the Massachusetts Air National Guard as the Army Air Forces transitioned to an independent U.S. Air Force, eventually rising to the rank of Major General.
Sweeney became an instructor in the atomic missions training project, Project Alberta, at Wendover Army Airfield, Utah. Selected to be part of the 509th Composite Group commanded by Col. Paul Tibbets, he was named commander of the 320th Troop Carrier Squadron on 6 January 1945. Initially his squadron used C-47 Skytrain and C-46 Commando transports on hand to conduct the top secret operations to supply the 509th, but in April 1945 it acquired five C-54 Skymasters, which had the range to deliver personnel and materiel to the western Pacific area.
On May 4, 1945, Sweeney became commander of the 393d Bombardment Squadron, Heavy, the combat element of the 509th, in charge of 15 Silverplate B-29s and their flight and ground crews, 535 men in all. In June and July Sweeney moved his unit to North Field on the island of Tinian in the Marianas.
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