William Sterling Parsons

Rear Admiral William Sterling "Deak" Parsons (November 26, 1901 - December 5, 1953) was an American military engineer, best known for being the weaponeer on the Enola Gay (at the time, had the rank of Captain) which dropped the first atomic bomb on the Hiroshima, Japan during World War II.

Related Topics:
November 26 - 1901 - December 5 - 1953 - Enola Gay - Atomic bomb - Hiroshima, Japan - World War II

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He bridged the gap between pure science and engineering, between laboratory research and military application of that research. He played a key role in the design and deployment of the proximity fuse, and helped to research, develop, assemble, and finally drop the atomic bomb. Parsons crawled into the Arctic-cold bomb bay of the Enola Gay to arm the bomb. After World War II he became the US Navy's leading figure on nuclear issues.

Related Topics:
Proximity fuse - Atomic bomb - World War II - US Navy

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The "Rear Admiral William S. Parsons Award for Scientific and Technical Progress" is established by the US Navy in his name.

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Rear Admiral Parsons, was one of the early Navy men with expertise in the new atomic weapons. He served as Deputy Task Force Commander for the Technical Direction of Crossroads. He is shown http://www.history.navy.mil/ac/bikini/95129g.jpg http://www.history.navy.mil/ac/bikini/bikini7.htm in a series of watercolor paintings related to Operation Crossroads.

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He died of a heart attack at age 52 and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery. http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=6391051&pt=%3Cb%3EWilliam%3C/b%3E%20%27Deak%27%20Parsons

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