Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Charles
William
Sweeney
December 27, 1919

–

July 15, 2004

Born:

Lowell

, 

Massachusetts

Home:

Lowell

, 

Massachusetts

Buried: 

Bourne

, 

Massachusetts

Cemetery:

Massachusetts National Cemetery

As a B-29 pilot in World War II, Charles Sweeney dropped the second atomic bomb “Fat Man” on Nagasaki, Japan, on August 9, 1945, from a B-29 named “Bockscar”. In June 1963, he became Deputy Chief of Staff of the Massachusetts Air National Guard. During this time, he was activated and served in Europe during the Berlin Crisis from October 1961 to August 1962. He was made Chief of Staff in October 1967, and as Commander of the Massachusetts Air National Guard before he retired in 1979 as a U.S. Air Force Major General.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Major (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    393d Bombardment Squadron

    Regiment:

    509th Composite Group

    Division:

    20th Air Force

    Action Date:

    August 9, 1945
    Headquarters, 20th Air Force, General Orders No. 60 (September 11, 1945)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Major (Air Corps) Charles William Sweeney (ASN: 0-430633), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a B-29 Superfortress Bomber of the 393d Bombardment Squadron, 509th Composite Group, TWENTIETH Air Force, in aerial operations in the Pacific Theater of Operations, on 9 August 1945. Major Sweeney piloted the bomber that dropped the second atomic bomb on Nagasaki, Japan. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Major Sweeney, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.