AFA Says Enola Gay Revisions Must Go Further

Arlington, VA, September 12, 1994 -- Delegates to the 1994 Air Force Association National Convention overwhelmingly endorsed a resolution that calls the recently revised Enola Gay script only the beginning of what should be "a continuing process of revision."

The planned 1995 exhibit, titled "The Last Act: The Atomic Bomb and the End of World War II," has been widely criticized by veterans, members of Congress, and the general public as lacking balance and context. The first two 500-page drafts of the script essentially portrayed the Japanese as the victims of American aggression at the end of World War II.

Under pressure from Congress and veterans groups in August, the Air and Space Museum backed off from a June 21 declaration that the script was final, except for "minor wording changes." In mid-August, museum director Martin Harwit promised to deliver yet another revision by September 1.

The Air Force Association resolution notes that while "improvements have been made" in this latest revision, "there are serious lingering structural, contextual and ideological issues that must still be addressed in cooperation with members of Congress, veterans groups, and military historians."

The Association stated that adding a photo exhibit to the front of the exhibit, titled "War in the Pacific: An American Perspective," will provide greater context on Japanese expansionism, atrocities and aggression. But the resolution stated, "'The American Perspective' must be incorporated throughout" the rest of the exhibit as well.

An analysis of the latest script, conducted by AIR FORCE Magazine Editor in Chief John Correll, who authored previous reports and articles on the exhibit, points out that the emotional center of the exhibit, previously titled "Ground Zero: Hiroshima and Nagasaki," remains largely intact and continues to be out of balance, even when measured by the standard set by the museum director.

Correll also points out that speculative material on Truman's decision to drop the atomic bomb has been preserved, including an underlying "attitude" that blames American decision makers for prolonging the war, rather than Japanese leaders.

While photos of American suffering during World War II have been added to the exhibit, there is still a 2 to 1 ratio of Japanese suffering to American suffering. Correll notes that the changes in the script are commendable, but they are not as sweeping or as comprehensive as some may believe.

In its resolution, the Association stated that "The National Air and Space Museum is a national treasure. As such, it has an obligation to tell the story of the end of World War II honestly, accurately, and in the proper balance and context."

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The Air Force Association is an independent non-profit aerospace organization whose objective is to promote greater understanding of aerospace and national defense issues. AFA is a grass-roots organization with a membership of nearly 180,000. The Air Force Association was incorporated in the District of Columbia on February 6, 1946.

You may contact the Air Force Association at 1501 Lee Highway, Arlington, Virginia, 22209-1198, or by email: com@afa.org