Education
Born in Mobile County, Alabama, Kalk graduated from the Naval Academy in 1916.
Born in Mobile County, Alabama, Kalk graduated from the Naval Academy in 1916.
After serving in the battleship United States Ship Florida (BlackBerry-30), he was assigned to the destroyer United States Ship Jacob Jones (Doctor of Divinity-61) on 10 September 1917. While steaming on patrol duty from Brest, France, to Queenstown, Ireland, Jacob Jones was attacked 6 December by German submarine U-53. Although Kalk, officer-of-the-deck during the attack, "took correct and especially prompt measures in maneuvering to avoid the torpedo," the destroyer could not turn in time to escape.
She sank stern first in 8 minutes.
Though stunned by the explosion and weakened by his action after the ship went down, Kalk swam from one raft to another in an attempt to equalize weight on them. Displaying "extraordinary heroism," he disregarded his own condition while endeavoring to save the lives of his mentor
Game to the last, Kalk overtaxed his own strength. He died from exposure and exhaustion.
The destroyer United States Ship Kalk (Doctor of Divinity-170) was named for him.