FORT THOMAS — He was airborne, en route to bomb Tokyo, when the word came.

        Charles “Carl” Chalk says he remembers Aug. 15, 1945, the day World War II officially ended in the Pacific, as if it were yesterday.

Carl Chalk , both now and when he was a radioman and torpedo gunner during World War II. (Patrick Reddy photo) | ZOOM |

        “It was a small world that day,” the former torpedo plane radioman and gunner said, recalling how the bombing mission was canceled after Japan's surrender was announced.

        They dropped their bombs in the ocean and returned to the carrier Bennington.

        The 76-year-old Bellevue native recently was recognized for his efforts during World War II and inducted into the Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum Enlisted Aircrew Roll of Honor.

        “It's quite an honor,” the retired Cincinnati Bell district manager said from his Fort Thomas home. “I received a plaque to keep at home, and my name is on a plaque on the (American carrier) Yorktown.”

        Mr. Chalk, a Bellevue native, said he joined the Army Air Corps at 17. He was 20 when he took part in 14 bombing and torpedo missions over the Japanese mainland in the late stages of the war, for which he received citations for meritorious service.

        His squadron, Torpedo Squadron One, also took part in action against the battleship Nagato in Tokyo Bay.

        Mr. Chalk later participated in several flights over prisoner of war camps in Japan to drop supplies to Allied prisoners.

        “Even from the air, you could tell they were not places where you would want to spend any time.”

        He said his induction “was and wasn't a surprise.

        “But I was still surprised when I was contacted and asked to come to the ceremonies (Nov. 8-9) to be inducted on the honor roll.”

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