The day Texas was bombed with a thermo-nuclear bomb

My father served in the United States Air Force for 20 years from 1949 until he retired in 1969. He was proud of his service to his country. Prior to my father’s death at the age of 80 in 2011, we were discussing his experiences in his life. As we were discussing his past, my father, giving me a serious look, paused and began to tell me a secret that he had been sworn to secrecy in the 50’s. I was the first person he ever told about it. In the early part of his enlistment he was assigned to the 7 th Bombardment Wing from 1949 to 1956. The 7 th bombardment group had been originally formed in 1946 and was transferred into SAC as part of the 2 nd Air Force. It was based at Fort Worth Army Air Field which was later renamed Carswell Air Force Base. The 7th was the first B-36 Bomb Wing. The B-36 was a new plane which was being built at the Convair factory at Fort Worth which was located next to the Carswell Air Base. It was designated as a “Heavy” bomber by the Air Force.

The 7 th bombardment group had the motto of: "Death from Above"

Father’s certificate of service from the 7 th Bombardment Group.