A visit to the USS Midway Museum in downtown San Diego turned into a surprise honor on Thursday for 98-year-old World War II veteran Charles Araiza.
Araiza believed he was finally getting a chance to tour the historic aircraft carrier. Instead, the longtime San Diego resident became the guest of honor during a ceremony on the flight deck, surrounded by family, fellow veterans, and museum visitors.
“Biggest ski boat I’ve ever seen in my life,” Araiza said with a laugh.
The USS Midway drew crowds of schoolchildren and veterans sharing war stories, as well as Araiza’s family, who helped plan the surprise.
“My daughter keeps saying to me, ‘You’re going to be a celebrity,’” Araiza smiled.
Araiza served as a private in the U.S. Army during World War II, deploying to the Pacific Theater with the Army’s 11th Airborne Division. After the war, he helped rebuild Hiroshima following the atomic bombing on Aug. 6, 1945.
During Thursday’s ceremony, retired Navy Capt. Steve Gilmore presented Araiza with an Army of Occupation Medal — nearly 80 years after his service — along with a U.S. flag that had flown over the USS Midway.
“Incredible. I just don’t believe it’s happening,” Araiza said.
Reflecting on his service, Araiza focused on those who never made it home.
“The ones that really deserve the attention are still there,” he said.
After returning from the war, Araiza married and moved to San Diego, where he and his wife spent 52 years together and raised two children. He owned City Auto Tops, an auto upholstery business in City Heights, for more than three decades before selling it and later upholstering small airplanes into his 90s at Montgomery and Gillespie Fields.
Araiza also helped fix upholstery on actor Tom Cruise’s seat on the F-14 used in Top Gun: Maverick, which was filmed in part in San Diego.
Despite a life filled with work and service, Araiza said he never considered himself extraordinary.
“As far as my service, I was just another GI Joe,” he said. “You do what you have to do.”
Araiza is currently receiving care from Sharp HospiceCare. His transportation to the USS Midway Museum was provided by AMR San Diego through its Sentimental Journey program, which offers complimentary ambulance rides to terminally ill patients hoping to visit a meaningful place one last time.
This story was originally reported for broadcast by NBC San Diego. AI tools helped convert the story to a digital article, and an NBC San Diego journalist edited the article for publication.