NYT20020731.0191_NN 2002-07-31_NN 18:45_NN A4537_NN &_CC Cx1_NN f_SYM ;_: tad-z_JJ u_NN a_DT BC-ATOMIC-BOMB-0801_NN -_- COX_NNP 07_CD 31_CD 1808_CD BC-ATOMIC-BOMB-0801_NN -_- COX_NNP A_DT mission_NN to_TO end_VB a_DT war_NN By_IN DENISE_NNP GAMINO_NNP Cox_NNP News_NNP Service_NNP AUSTIN_NNP ,_, Texas_NNP -_- -_- Tom_NNP Karnes_NNP was_VBD dialing_VBG for_IN destiny_NN ,_, but_CC not_RB everyone_NN wanted_VBD to_TO cooperate_VB ._. 

Karnes_NNP sat_VBD in_IN his_PRP$ wood_NN -_- paneled_JJ office_NN in_IN a_DT Quonset_NNP hut_NN in_IN the_DT middle_NN of_IN the_DT Great_NNP Salt_NNP Lake_NNP Desert_NNP ,_, a_DT black_JJ telephone_NN to_TO his_PRP$ ear_NN ._. 
He_PRP was_VBD tracking_VBG down_RB men_NNS to_TO join_VB a_DT group_NN so_RB secret_JJ he_PRP could_MD n't_RB admit_VB it_PRP existed_VBD ._. 

On_IN his_PRP$ metal_NN desk_NN were_VBD names_NNS of_IN military_JJ men_NNS being_VBG ordered_VBN into_IN the_DT organization_NN ._. 
He_PRP was_VBD calling_VBG bases_NNS all_DT over_IN the_DT United_NNP States_NNPS to_TO line_VB up_RP their_PRP$ transfer_NN to_TO the_DT desert_NN outside_IN Salt_NNP Lake_NNP City_NNP ._. 

"_'' Where_WRB is_VBZ the_DT authority_NN ?_. "_'' asked_VBD one_CD officer_NN who_WP did_VBD n't_RB want_VB to_TO lose_VB a_DT valuable_JJ man_NN under_IN his_PRP$ command_NN ._. 

"_'' Who_WP says_VBZ this_DT ?_. "_'' another_DT commanding_JJ officer_NN asked_VBD Karnes_NNP ._. 

Each_DT time_NN ,_, Karnes_NNP said_VBD what_WP he_PRP had_VBD to_TO :_: "_'' Call_VB Air_NNP Force_NNP headquarters_NN if_IN you_PRP do_VBP n't_RB believe_VB me_PRP ._. "_'' 

If_IN they_PRP continued_VBD to_TO resist_VB ,_, he_PRP pulled_VBD out_RP a_DT secret_JJ code_NN for_IN their_PRP$ bosses_NNS ._. 

"_'' This_DT is_VBZ a_DT Silverplate_NNP request_NN ,_, "_'' he_PRP said_VBD ._. 

Silverplate_NNP :_: code_NN word_NN for_IN the_DT historic_JJ mission_NN that_WDT would_MD end_VB World_NNP War_NNP II_NNP ._. 

Almost_RB 1,800_CD men_NNS were_VBD assembled_VBN n_NN late_JJ 1944_CD to_TO join_VB the_DT top_JJ -_- secret_JJ unit_NN called_VBD the_DT 509th_CD Composite_NNP Group_NNP ._. 
Col._NN Paul_NNP Tibbets_NNP ,_, the_DT pilot_NN who_WP would_MD drop_VB the_DT world_NN 's_POS first_JJ atomic_JJ bomb_NN over_IN Hiroshima_NNP ,_, Japan_NNP ,_, was_VBD commander_NN of_IN the_DT unit_NN and_CC chose_VBD the_DT men_NNS ._. 
And_CC the_DT first_JJ person_NN he_PRP chose_VBD to_TO join_VB him_PRP was_VBD Karnes_NNP ,_, though_IN he_PRP could_MD n't_RB reveal_VB the_DT mission_NN to_TO Karnes_NNP ._. 
Karnes_NNP ,_, 87_CD ,_, is_VBZ a_DT retired_VBN history_NN professor_NN who_WP lives_VBZ in_IN suburban_JJ Austin_NNP with_IN his_PRP$ wife_NN ,_, Virginia_NNP ,_, who_WP also_RB worked_VBD for_IN the_DT 509th_CD as_IN a_DT civilian_JJ bookkeeper_NN for_IN six_CD months_NNS ._. 

Karnes_NNP was_VBD Tibbets_NNP '_POS adjutant_NN ,_, the_DT man_NN in_IN charge_NN of_IN writing_VBG the_DT orders_NNS and_CC cajoling_VBG the_DT transfer_NN to_TO the_DT unit_NN of_IN servicemen_NN proficient_JJ in_IN bombing_NN ,_, mechanics_NNS ,_, ordnance_NN ,_, engineering_NN and_CC communications_NNS ._. 
Tibbets_NNP picked_VBD the_DT names_NNS ,_, and_CC Karnes_NNP made_VBD it_PRP happen_VBP ._. 

Tibbets_NNP hated_VBN paperwork_NN ._. 
Karnes_NNP thought_VBD it_PRP was_VBD a_DT breeze_NN ._. 

They_PRP were_VBD a_DT wartime_NN match_NN that_WDT changed_VBD the_DT world_NN ._. 

Japan_NNP surrendered_VBD within_IN days_NNS of_IN the_DT detonation_NN of_IN the_DT atomic_JJ bombs_NNS that_WDT killed_VBD 140,000_CD people_NNS in_IN Hiroshima_NNP on_IN Aug_NNP ._. 6_CD ,_, 1945_CD ,_, and_CC 70,000_CD in_IN Nagasaki_NNP three_CD days_NNS later_RB ._. 

The_DT story_NN of_IN the_DT 509th_CD is_VBZ a_DT tale_NN of_IN an_DT elite_NN outfit_NN that_WDT lived_VBD in_IN a_DT bubble_NN of_IN secrecy_NN and_CC endured_VBD the_DT taunts_NNS of_IN other_JJ war_NN -_- weary_JJ U.S._NNP units_NNS that_WDT resented_VBD sharing_VBG a_DT small_JJ Pacific_NNP island_NN with_IN the_DT 509th_CD ,_, which_WDT appeared_VBD exempt_JJ from_IN combat_NN ._. 
Tinian_NNP Island_NNP was_VBD the_DT staging_NN area_NN where_WRB the_DT 509th_CD moved_VBD after_IN its_PRP$ creation_NN in_IN the_DT desert_NN ._. 

Karnes_NNP has_VBZ never_RB spoken_VBN publicly_RB about_IN his_PRP$ role_NN as_IN Tibbets_NNP '_POS right_JJ -_- hand_NN administrative_JJ aide_NN ._. 
He_PRP never_RB even_RB told_VBD his_PRP$ story_NN to_TO students_NNS in_IN his_PRP$ 40_CD years_NNS of_IN teaching_NN college_NN ._. 

War_NNP is_VBZ hell_NN ,_, he_PRP says_VBZ ,_, and_CC when_WRB it_PRP was_VBD over_IN ,_, he_PRP wanted_VBD to_TO come_VB home_NN and_CC rejoin_VB his_PRP$ young_JJ family_NN and_CC not_RB dwell_NN on_IN it_PRP ._. 
He_PRP earned_VBD a_DT doctorate_NN in_IN history_NN from_IN Stanford_NNP University_NNP and_CC taught_VBD Latin_NNP American_JJ history_NN at_IN Tulane_NNP University_NNP and_CC Arizona_NNP State_NNP University_NNP ._. 

Next_JJ week_NN marks_VBZ the_DT 57th_NNP anniversary_NN of_IN the_DT atomic_JJ bombings_NNS ._. 
As_IN always_RB ,_, Karnes_NNP '_POS mind_NN will_MD drift_VB to_TO memories_NNS of_IN his_PRP$ good_JJ friend_NN Tibbets_NNP ,_, 87_CD ,_, who_WP lives_VBZ in_IN Columbus_NNP ,_, Ohio_NNP ._. 

Each_DT year_NN on_IN Aug_NNP ._. 6_CD ,_, "_'' I_PRP always_RB think_VBP of_IN Paul_NNP Tibbets_NNP and_CC how_WRB he_PRP handled_VBD unbelievable_JJ responsibility_NN ,_, "_'' Karnes_NNP said_VBD ._. 

Karnes_NNP met_VBD Tibbets_NNP when_WRB the_DT 29_CD -_- year_NN -_- old_JJ bomber_NN pilot_NN walked_VBD into_IN Karnes_NNP '_POS office_NN at_IN Wendover_NNP Army_NNP Air_NNP Field_NNP on_IN the_DT Utah_NNP -_- Nevada_NNP border_NN ._. 
Karnes_NNP was_VBD the_DT personnel_NNS and_CC classification_NN officer_NN ._. 
He_PRP was_VBD only_RB a_DT captain_NN ,_, but_CC he_PRP had_VBD been_VBN left_VBN in_IN charge_NN at_IN Wendover_NNP the_DT day_NN Tibbets_NNP surprised_VBD them_PRP by_IN landing_VBG a_DT B_NNP -_- 29_CD ,_, a_DT new_JJ plane_NN no_DT one_CD at_IN Wendover_NNP had_VBD seen_VBN ._. 

Tibbets_NNP had_VBD just_RB been_VBN ordered_VBN to_TO organize_VB a_DT combat_NN force_NN to_TO drop_VB a_DT bomb_NN being_VBG developed_VBN by_IN a_DT secret_JJ enterprise_NN known_VBN as_IN the_DT Manhattan_NNP Project_NNP ._. 
He_PRP was_VBD searching_VBG for_IN a_DT remote_JJ installation_NN to_TO train_VB bomber_NN crews_NNS and_CC support_NN units_NNS in_IN total_JJ secrecy_NN ._. 

Tibbets_NNP instantly_RB liked_VBD the_DT isolation_NN and_CC vast_JJ size_NN of_IN Wendover_NNP and_CC the_DT surrounding_VBG Bonneville_NNP Salt_NNP Flats_NNP ._. 
And_CC he_PRP immediately_RB liked_VBD Karnes_NNP ,_, who_WP showed_VBD him_PRP around_IN the_DT base_NN ._. 

In_IN Karnes_NNP ,_, Tibbets_NNP found_VBD a_DT kindred_JJ spirit_NN -_- -_- and_CC a_DT handball_NN partner_NN ._. 
Both_DT were_VBD smart_JJ ,_, disciplined_VBN ,_, quiet_JJ men_NNS who_WP thrived_VBD on_IN efficiency_NN ,_, perfection_NN and_CC self_NN -_- reliance_NN ._. 
Each_DT had_VBD skills_NNS the_DT other_JJ admired_VBN ._. 
Tibbets_NNP was_VBD a_DT decorated_VBN ,_, top_JJ -_- gun_NN pilot_NN ,_, but_CC Karnes_NNP could_MD wrangle_NN the_DT military_JJ rule_NN book_NN as_RB well_RB as_IN Tibbets_NNP could_MD fly_VB ._. 

"_'' I_PRP do_VBP n't_RB recall_VB ever_RB having_VBG to_TO tell_VB Tom_NNP to_TO do_VB anything_NN ,_, "_'' Tibbets_NNP said_VBD in_IN an_DT e-mail_JJ this_DT week_NN ._. 
"_'' He_PRP was_VBD so_RB knowledgeable_JJ he_PRP just_RB got_VBD things_NNS done_VBN ,_, allowing_VBG me_PRP to_TO concentrate_VB on_IN other_JJ matters_NNS ._. 
I_PRP was_VBD very_RB lucky_JJ to_TO have_VB Tom_NNP ._. 
"_'' 

Tibbets_NNP quickly_RB returned_VBD to_TO Wendover_NNP after_IN that_DT first_JJ visit_NN to_TO set_VB up_RP his_PRP$ headquarters_NN ._. 
His_PRP$ first_JJ order_NN appointed_VBD Karnes_NNP adjutant_NN for_IN the_DT 509th_CD ._. 

Almost_RB overnight_JJ ,_, Wendover_NNP became_VBD a_DT high_JJ -_- security_NN base_NN filled_VBN with_IN off_IN -_- limit_NN areas_NNS covered_VBN in_IN barbed_VBN wire_NN ._. 
No_DT one_NN was_VBD allowed_VBN to_TO talk_VB about_IN what_WP they_PRP saw_VBD or_CC heard_VBN ,_, even_RB though_IN most_JJS of_IN the_DT 509th_CD had_VBD no_DT idea_NN why_WRB they_PRP were_VBD there_RB ,_, except_IN that_DT 15_CD B-29_NN s_VBZ were_VBD being_VBG modified_VBN to_TO carry_VB a_DT heavy_JJ load_NN ._. 

Karnes_NNP and_CC his_PRP$ staff_NN read_NN outgoing_JJ mail_NN to_TO make_VB sure_JJ no_DT secrets_NNS slipped_VBD out_RP ._. 
Karnes_NNP hated_VBN to_TO pry_NN ,_, and_CC skimmed_JJ over_IN personal_JJ portions_NNS of_IN the_DT letters_NNS ._. 
Phone_NNP calls_NNS were_VBD monitored_VBN ._. 
An_DT undercover_JJ force_NN of_IN Manhattan_NNP Project_NNP security_NN agents_NNS infiltrated_VBN the_DT base_NN and_CC bars_NNS in_IN the_DT little_JJ town_NN of_IN Wendover_NNP (_( population_NN 103_CD )_) to_TO spy_VB on_IN airmen_NNS ._. 

Karnes_NNP knew_VBD the_DT 509th_CD was_VBD preparing_VBG for_IN a_DT special_JJ bombing_NN mission_NN ,_, but_CC he_PRP had_VBD no_DT idea_NN what_WP kind_NN of_IN bombs_NNS were_VBD involved_VBN ._. 

"_'' I_PRP had_VBD a_DT friend_NN ,_, the_DT finance_NN officer_NN ._. 
He_PRP said_VBD that_IN they_PRP had_VBD split_VBN the_DT atom_NN and_CC that_IN we_PRP were_VBD going_VBG to_TO drop_VB an_DT atomic_JJ bomb_NN ,_, "_'' Karnes_NNP said_VBD ._. 
"_'' I_PRP said_VBD ,_, `_`` No._NN "_'' '_POS 

A_DT noncommittal_JJ "_'' mmm-mm_JJ ,_, "_'' was_VBD the_DT most_JJS Karnes_NNP could_MD ever_RB get_VB out_IN of_IN Tibbets_NNP on_IN matters_NNS of_IN the_DT bomb_NN ._. 
By_IN spring_NN ,_, the_DT 509th_CD prepared_VBN to_TO move_VB to_TO Tinian_NNP Island_NNP ,_, near_IN Guam_NNP and_CC Saipan_NNP ._. 
That_DT would_MD put_VB the_DT B_NNP -_- 29_CD s_VBZ about_IN 1,500_CD miles_NNS from_IN Japan_NNP -_- -_- a_DT 13_CD -_- hour_NN round_JJ -_- trip_NN flight_NN ._. 
Karnes_NNP was_VBD deluged_VBN with_IN orders_NNS for_IN inoculations_NNS ,_, equipment_NN ,_, transfers_NNS and_CC promotions_NNS ._. 

Karnes_NNP arrived_VBD on_IN Tinian_NNP on_IN May_NNP 18_CD ,_, 1945_CD ,_, as_IN part_NN of_IN an_DT advance_NN team_NN that_WDT flew_VBD in_IN the_DT five_CD C_NNP -_- 54_CD transport_NN planes_NNS of_IN the_DT 509th_CD ._. 
On_IN May_NNP 29_CD ,_, 1,200_CD men_NNS arrived_VBD on_IN the_DT troopship_NN Cape_NNP Victory_NNP after_IN a_DT five_JJ -_- week_NN trip_NN from_IN Seattle_NNP ._. 

Tinian_NNP Island_NNP had_VBD been_VBN captured_VBN from_IN Japan_NNP ,_, and_CC the_DT Seabees_NNP ,_, the_DT construction_NN arm_NN of_IN the_DT Navy_NNP ,_, had_VBD built_VBN two_CD large_JJ airfields_NNS ._. 
The_DT 509th_CD took_VBD North_NNP Field_NNP and_CC stayed_VBD in_IN relative_JJ isolation_NN from_IN other_JJ B_NNP -_- 29_CD units_NNS on_IN the_DT island_NN ._. 

Karnes_NNP handed_VBD out_IN bunk_NN assignments_NNS ,_, choosing_VBG the_DT mess_NN officer_NN ,_, Chuck_NNP Perry_NNP ,_, to_TO share_VB his_PRP$ tent_NN ._. 
Karnes_NNP had_VBD his_PRP$ own_JJ Jeep_NNP ,_, and_CC went_VBD to_TO the_DT beach_NN and_CC to_TO evening_NN movies_NNS shown_VBN by_IN other_JJ units_NNS as_RB often_RB as_IN he_PRP could_MD ._. 
But_CC at_IN the_DT movies_NNS ,_, he_PRP had_VBD to_TO remove_VB the_DT distributor_NN cap_NN on_IN his_PRP$ Jeep_NNP so_IN the_DT vehicle_NN would_MD n't_RB be_VB stolen_VBN ,_, perhaps_RB by_IN jealous_JJ airmen_NNS who_WP resented_VBD the_DT 509th_CD ._. 

Not_RB until_IN the_DT day_NN before_IN Tibbets_NNP and_CC his_PRP$ crew_NN flew_VBD to_TO Hiroshima_NNP was_VBD the_DT 509th_CD told_VBD what_WP was_VBD happening_VBG ._. 
The_DT word_NN spread_VBD :_: "_'' This_DT is_VBZ it_PRP ._. 
This_DT is_VBZ the_DT big_JJ mission_NN ._. "_'' 

Karnes_NNP and_CC hundreds_NNS of_IN other_JJ men_NNS from_IN the_DT 509th_CD stood_VBD along_IN the_DT flight_NN line_NN as_IN Tibbets_NNP and_CC the_DT Enola_NNP Gay_NNP took_VBD off_RP at_IN 2:45_NN a.m._NN on_IN Aug_NNP ._. 6_CD ,_, a_DT warm_JJ ,_, tropical_JJ night_NN ._. 
Three_CD B_NNP -_- 29_CD s_VBZ had_VBN gone_VBN ahead_RB to_TO check_VB the_DT weather_NN at_IN Hiroshima_NNP and_CC two_CD other_JJ possible_JJ bomb_NN sites_NNS ._. 
Two_CD other_JJ B_NNP -_- 29_CD s_VBZ left_VBN in_IN two_JJ -_- minute_NN intervals_NNS after_IN Tibbets_NNP so_RB their_PRP$ crews_NNS could_MD take_VB photos_NNS and_CC drop_NN devices_NNS to_TO measure_VB radiation_NN and_CC other_JJ effects_NNS of_IN the_DT bomb_NN ._. 

Tibbets_NNP got_VBD the_DT word_NN only_RB an_DT hour_NN from_IN Hiroshima_NNP that_IN the_DT city_NN 's_POS weather_NN was_VBD clear_JJ ._. 
As_IN they_PRP approached_VBD ,_, Tibbets_NNP braced_VBD for_IN Japanese_JJ anti-aircraft_JJ fire_NN ._. 
None_NN came_VBD ._. 
Early_RB in_IN the_DT flight_NN ,_, the_DT crew_NN had_VBD inserted_VBN a_DT plug_NN of_IN uranium_NN into_IN the_DT 9_CD ,_, 000_CD -_- pound_NN bomb_NN ,_, nicknamed_VBN "_'' Little_NNP Boy_NNP ._. 
"_'' 

Ninety_CD seconds_NNS from_IN the_DT bomb_NN drop_NN ,_, Tibbets_NNP put_VBD the_DT plane_NN on_IN auto_JJ -_- pilot_NN ._. 
The_DT crew_NN slipped_VBD on_IN dark_JJ glasses_NNS to_TO prepare_VB for_IN the_DT blinding_VBG flash_VBP of_IN the_DT bomb_NN ._. 
At_IN 8:15_NN a.m._NN Hiroshima_NNP time_NN ,_, the_DT pneumatic_JJ bomb_NN -_- bay_NN doors_NNS opened_VBD and_CC "_'' Little_NNP Boy_NNP ,_, "_'' equivalent_JJ to_TO 20,000_CD tons_NNS of_IN TNT_NNP ,_, fell_VBD out_RP ._. 

Tibbets_NNP and_CC his_PRP$ crew_NN had_VBD exactly_RB 43_CD seconds_NNS to_TO get_VB away_RB before_IN the_DT bomb_NN exploded_VBD ._. 
The_DT Enola_NNP Gay_NNP climbed_VBD ,_, and_CC Tibbets_NNP fought_VBD to_TO turn_VB the_DT plane_NN in_IN the_DT air_NN -_- bending_VBG ,_, 155_CD -_- degree_NN the_DT crews_NNS had_VBD been_VBN practicing_VBG off_RP Tinian_NNP for_IN months_NNS ._. 
He_PRP pushed_VBD off_RP the_DT dark_JJ glasses_NNS because_IN he_PRP could_MD n't_RB see_VB to_TO fly_VB ._. 

When_WRB the_DT bomb_NN exploded_VBD as_IN planned_VBN 1,890_CD feet_NNS over_IN Hiroshima_NNP ,_, Tibbets_NNP '_POS mouth_NN tingled_JJ ,_, and_CC 
he_PRP tasted_JJ the_DT lead_NN fillings_NNS in_IN his_PRP$ teeth_NNS ._. 

A_DT minute_NN later_RB ,_, the_DT shock_NN wave_NN hit_VBD ._. 
The_DT crew_NN was_VBD horrified_JJ by_IN the_DT purple_JJ mushroom_NN cloud_NN that_WDT climbed_VBD to_TO 10_CD miles_NNS and_CC looked_VBD as_IN if_IN it_PRP would_MD engulf_NN the_DT Enola_NNP Gay_NNP ._. 
More_RBR shocking_JJ was_VBD the_DT city_NN of_IN Hiroshima_NNP ,_, which_WDT was_VBD on_IN fire_NN and_CC bubbling_VBG like_IN tar_NN ._. 

"_'' We_PRP were_VBD all_DT appalled_VBN ,_, "_'' the_DT pilot_NN said_VBD in_IN his_PRP$ book_NN "_'' The_DT Tibbets_NNP Story_NNP ._. "_'' 

Back_RB on_IN Tinian_NNP ,_, Karnes_NNP had_VBD gone_VBN to_TO bed_NN ._. 
But_CC he_PRP did_VBD n't_RB sleep_VB long_JJ ._. 
Someone_NN woke_VBD him_PRP to_TO say_VB Gen._NN Hap_NNP Arnold_NNP ,_, chief_NN of_IN the_DT Army_NNP Air_NNP Forcesin_NNP Washington_NNP ,_, was_VBD on_IN the_DT phone_NN and_CC asking_VBG for_IN him_PRP ._. 
Arnold_NNP told_VBD Karnes_NNP ,_, "_'' Tibbets_NNP is_VBZ going_VBG to_TO be_VB landing_NN in_IN three_CD to_TO four_CD hours_NNS ,_, and_CC I_PRP want_VBP to_TO give_VB him_PRP the_DT Distinguished_NNP Service_NNP Cross_NNP ,_, and_CC it_PRP is_VBZ your_PRP$ job_NN to_TO write_VB up_RP the_DT explanation_NN ._. "_'' 

"_'' I_PRP had_VBD no_DT idea_NN how_WRB you_PRP wrote_VBD up_RP an_DT award_NN ._. 
I_PRP 'd_MD never_RB written_VBN up_RP any_DT award_NN ,_, "_'' Karnes_NNP said_VBD ._. 
"_'' So_IN I_PRP got_VBD all_DT of_IN my_PRP$ sergeants_NNS out_IN ,_, and_CC they_PRP 're_VBP all_DT digging_NN through_IN their_PRP$ (_( books_NNS ._. )_) "_'' 

When_WRB an_DT unsuspecting_JJ Tibbets_NNP descended_VBD from_IN the_DT Enola_NNP Gay_NNP on_IN Tinian_NNP ,_, he_PRP barely_RB managed_VBD to_TO palm_VB his_PRP$ pipe_NN as_IN Gen._NN Carl_NNP Spaatz_NNP ,_, commander_NN of_IN the_DT Strategic_NNP Air_NNP Forces_NNPS ,_, stepped_VBD forward_RB to_TO pin_VB the_DT medal_NN on_IN his_PRP$ bomb_NN flight_NN coveralls_NNS ._. 

Karnes_NNP ,_, like_IN the_DT hundreds_NNS of_IN others_NNS gathered_VBD along_IN the_DT flight_NN line_NN ,_, was_VBD jubilant_JJ ._. 
He_PRP knew_VBD the_DT war_NN would_MD soon_RB be_VB over_RB and_CC he_PRP would_MD be_VB heading_VBG home_NN ._. 
A_DT yearof_NN secrecy_NN and_CC hard_JJ work_NN wasover_NN ._. 

Three_CD days_NNS later_RB ,_, another_DT B_NNP -_- 29_CD from_IN the_DT 509th_CD bombed_VBN Nagasaki_NNP ._. 
Five_CD days_NNS later_RB ,_, Japan_NNP surrendered_VBD and_CC World_NNP War_NNP II_NNP was_VBD over_IN ._. 

Today_NN ,_, Karnes_NNP is_VBZ frustrated_VBN that_IN some_DT of_IN his_PRP$ fellow_NN historians_NNS ,_, the_DT ones_NNS he_PRP calls_VBZ "_'' revisionists_NNS ,_, "_'' question_NN the_DT wisdom_NN and_CC morality_NN of_IN the_DT bombings_NNS ._. 
What_WP matters_NNS ,_, he_PRP believes_VBZ ,_, is_VBZ that_IN his_PRP$ generation_NN thought_VBD the_DT bomb_NN should_MD be_VB dropped_VBN ._. 

"_'' We_PRP were_VBD not_RB bloodthirsty_NN guys_NNS ,_, "_'' he_PRP said_VBD ._. 
"_'' We_PRP were_VBD convinced_VBN then_RB ,_, and_CC I_PRP still_RB am_VBP ,_, that_IN we_PRP ended_VBD the_DT war_NN a_DT year_NN or_CC two_CD earlier_RBR ._. 
And_CC what_WP the_DT casualties_NNS would_MD have_VB been_VBN ,_, who_WP knows_VBZ -_- -_- but_CC heavy_JJ ._. "_'' 

"_'' On_IN Tinian_NNP ,_, and_CC probably_RB elsewhere_RB ,_, the_DT Seabees_NNP were_VBD building_VBG enormous_JJ hospitals_NNS while_IN we_PRP were_VBD there_RB ,_, "_'' he_PRP said_VBD ._. 
"_'' Those_DT hospitals_NNS were_VBD not_RB for_IN us_PRP ._. 
They_PRP were_VBD for_IN (_( an_DT expected_VBN invasion_NN of_IN Japan_NNP )_) ._. 
And_CC then_RB the_DT casualties_NNS were_VBD going_VBG to_TO be_VB terrible_JJ ._. "_'' 

Karnes_NNP carries_VBZ the_DT image_NN of_IN hundreds_NNS of_IN hospital_NN beds_NNS in_IN his_PRP$ mind_NN ._. 
In_IN his_PRP$ heart_NN ,_, he_PRP holds_VBZ the_DT unshakable_JJ conviction_NN that_IN the_DT mission_NN he_PRP helped_VBD organize_VB saved_VBN America_NNP from_IN disaster_NN ._. 

Denise_NNP Gamino_NNP writes_VBZ for_IN the_DT Austin_NNP (_( Texas_NNP )_) American_NNP -_- Statesman_NN ._. 
E-_NNP mail_NN :_: dgamino_NN (_( at_IN )_) statesman_NN ._. com_NN 
Story_NNP Filed_NNP By_IN Cox_NNP Newspapers_NNS For_IN Use_NN By_IN Clients_NNS of_IN the_DT New_NNP York_NNP Times_NNP News_NNP Service_NNP NYT-07_NN -_- 31_CD -_- 02_CD 1845_CD EDT_NNP 