FRED OLIVI

Air Classics, Jul 2004

Co-pilot of Boeing B-29 Bockscar

Fred Olivi, who was the co-pilot on the B-29 that dropped an atomic bomb on Nagasaki, has died at age 82. Olivi, a native of Chicago, died on 9 April from effects of a stroke. The crew of the Enola Gay dropped the first atomic bomb on Hiroshima. Three days later, on 9 August 1945, the crew of Bockscar dropped their weapon on Nagasaki. Japan surrendered six days later, ending WWII.

"While thousands died, I feel sure the bomb had to be dropped because if the Americans had been forced to invade Japan it would have been a blood bath," Olivi stated in a 1995 interview. Olivi was one of many veterans angered by an exhibit at the Smithsonian Institution for the 50th anniversary of the bombs. "It's slanted more in sympathy to the Japanese than it is to us," he stated.

Olivi enlisted with the Army Air Force immediately after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. "He always wanted to fly," said older brother Emil. "The Air Corps gave him a chance, and he took it."

After the war, Olivi served in the Air Force Reserve, flying with a troop transport squadron based at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport until 1971. He ended his service as a lieutenant colonel.