STEM — On Aug. 6, 1945, the United States dropped an atomic bomb on the Japanese city of Hiroshima. The explosion almost instantly killed 80,000 people and tens of thousands would die later of radiation exposure.  
Three days later, anther bomb was dropped on Nagasaki, killing an estimated 40,000 people. Japan’s Emperor Hirohito announced his country’s unconditional surrender in World War II in a radio address on Aug. 15, citing the devastating power of “a new and most cruel bomb.”  
That new and cruel bomb has a Granville County connection. Wallace Bowling was from Stem, and was drafted into World War II. So was Elbert Blackwell, another Granville County boy. Wallace and Elbert received orders to ship to the Tinian Island in the South Pacific, near Guam. 
Tinian Island had been captured from Japan, and American B29 bombers could now fly to Japan and return on a tank of fuel. In August of 1945, Germany had been defeated. At 2:45 a.m. on Aug. 6, 1945, the B-29 bomber Enola Gay, took off from the north runway at Tinian Island.  
The Enola Gay was piloted by Colonel Paul Tibbets, who had named the plane after his mother. Her takeoff weight was 150,000 pounds; the 65-ton Enola Gay with 7,000 gallons of fuel, a 12-man crew, and a 5-ton atomic bomb. She was overloaded by 15,000 pounds and had to use every inch of the runway to get airborne. The two Granville County boys, Wallace Bowling and Elbert Blackwell, were there as the Enola Gay rose in the sky. 
Later that day, Hiroshima would be hit with the most powerful bomb invented by man up to 1945. On Aug. 9, 1945, another B-29 bomber took off from Tinian Island headed to Nagasaki with another atomic bomb. 
With the news of Japan’s surrender, Oxford broke loose in a wild celebration. Creedmoor, Stem, Stovall, Berea, and households all over Granville County celebrated also. People gathered on Oxford’s and Creedmoor’s downtown streets. Confetti and paper were tossed out windows. 
Bells were rung and alarms sounded in Creedmoor. The Oxford Fire Department sounded 5-6, the designated Victory Alarm. Large American flags were put on fire trucks and driven around town with sirens going. Men, women and children went into the courthouse in Oxford to hear speeches, sing patriotic songs and say prayers of thankfulness. 
The Rev. J.L. Smith said, “We are here to give thanks to Almighty God for the end of this cruel war, the hour for which we have labored, sacrificed and prayed is now at hand.” Bells, horns and whistles could be heard in Granville County throughout the day-long celebrations.  
At the Service Club Number One at Camp Butner in August of 1945, there was an informal party with Durham girls, a dance at the sports arena, an outdoor watermelon party, a community sing and a square dance. At Service Club Number Three, there was a variety show and a dance with Raleigh girls.  
At the Convalescent Hospital in the Red Cross Recreation Halls at 12th and D Streets, a movie was shown to patients that probably boosted many spirits. The movie was called “I Love a Soldier.” On Aug. 12, at Chapel Number 10, there was a Protestant Service at 9 a.m. and a Catholic Service at 11 a.m. 
On Aug. 13, Virgil Whyte’s Musical Sweethearts performed at the Outdoor Theatre. A poster of a beautiful young woman, who was quite busty and showing quite a bit of her legs, was posted on a door in the Post Public Relations Building. A contest was held to name the lovely lady, with the winner receiving a glossy 8 by 12 inch print of the poster. James Nichols, a famous one-arm golf trick shot artist, entertained service men at the post baseball field on Aug. 13.  
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