Christopher Bishop

Major Christopher Bishop, USAF retired, passed away on Tuesday, March 6, 2018, in a local hospital.  He was born in Bridgewater, MA, July 26, 1921.  He served his country during World War II and during the Cold War.  In January 1942, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps rising rapidly through the enlisted ranks and was promoted to Warrant Officer then selected to attend the Army Intelligence School.

In 1944 he was assigned as an Intelligence Officer with the 20th Air Force in the Marinna Islands, Pacific Theater of operations.  There, he was one of the first officers to view and analyze aerial reconnaissance photos of the destructive power of the atom bombs dropped on the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan.  On one occasion he was credited for discovering a Japanese aircraft carrier hidden under camouflage netting.  Aerial reconnaissance photos revealed a small Japanese Island which changed shape from previous photos.  Further study showed the carrier moored against the shoreline.  His superiors promptly notified a U.S. Navy strike force which sank the carrier.  At the end of World War II he was mustered out of the Army Air Corps and returned to his hometown of Bridgewater, MA where he assumed duties of manager for his father’s food market. In 1950 he married Lorraine Helen Chaplain of Avon, MA.  Shortly thereafter, he was recalled to active duty during the Korean Crisis and received a direct commission as a Lieutenant in the Air Force.  His first assignment brought him to Washington D.C., again as an Intelligence Officer.  For nearly a year his duties required him to work in the CIA building.  He was subsequently assigned to HQS Strategic Air Command (SAC) in Omaha, NE. 

During his military career he has several stateside and overseas assignments; most of his Military career was as an Intelligence Officer in the Strategic Air Command.  His last assignment was as Officer in Charge of specially selected Intelligence Officers and Airmen at an overseas station.  Upon retirement from the Air Force he was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal amongst other decorations.  Major Bishop believed in education.  He was a graduate of Burdett College, Boston, MA;  Western New England College, Springfield, MA, graduating MAGNA Cum Laude.  He moved from Massachusetts to Fort Walton Beach in 1970 and launched into a successful real estate career, managing his own real estate holding until his death.  He was preceded in death by his wife Lorraine, of 58 years and is survived by his son William C. Bishop and grandchildren, Tyler and Kelsey Bishop.  Graveside Services will be held at Barrancas National Cemetery, NAS Pensacola, FL on Wednesday March 14, 2018 at 2:00 PM with Full Military Honors.  Expressions of love and sympathy may be viewed or submitted online at www.mclaughlinmortuary.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Christopher Bishop, please visit our floral store.