A 16 Million to One Father’s Day

Sixteen-million to one. Those are about the odds on this connection happening on the day before Father’s Day 2020. But this connection stems back seventy-five years to WWII. Sadly, neither of these two fathers are with us anymore.

This morning I received an amazing email from someone I had never known. Amy Price Angle from Oblong Illinois. Amy had seen a facebook post about “My Father’s War” book. She also included three photos with her father in them. In part, she wrote:
“…I was doing a little research this evening and found you had written a book…my dad Staff Sgt Ora M Price flew on the B24 Stork Club and was stationed in Hethel. He was a waist gunner. My dad never spoke of his service. I am sending a couple pics. That is my dad in the Stork Club and his crew in front of it. He is front row right, looking at the picture. I wish I had asked him more questions, but I’m not sure he would have answered them… Oh…and I’ll have to read your book….I’m sure it’s great!”

I immediately recognized the photos of the Stork Club B-24 Liberator. I also recognized one of the airman in it. None other than Tech Sgt. Joseph R. Chiminello from Lunenburg, MA. “Joe” was featured in ‘My Father’s War: Memories from Our Honored WWII Soldiers.’ I knew him well and knew he had flown in the Stork Club. Amy sent me photos. One was the same photo Joe had.

There, kneeling side by side in front of their B-24, was waist-gunner Staff Sgt. Price and Lower ball-turret gunner Tech Sgt. Chiminello.

My excitement and enthusiasm for this connection was mind boggling. I had to immediately reach out to Chiminello’s daughters to let them know. Dominique in Italy, Michele in Massachusetts and together, they will reach Joanie in MA and Jeannene in Tennessee. Considering this is the day before Father’s Day, and over 16 million men served during WWII (odds?) and 18,482 B-24’s were built for the war. I’d say this has the makings of a very special Father’s Day for these two families greatly missing their own dads.

I’m sure before the sun sets, these kids will share some amazing stories about their dads during WWII. Like the time, “We had a wheel shot off. I had to leave the turret and go into the fuselage. With both (landing) gears down, the left one was shot to hell. They landed and it went blub blub blub blub. We had champ pilots,” said Chiminello during my interviews.

Happy Father’s Day to the families of the Price and Chiminello’s. I’m sure your fathers are smiling down from heaven over this chance meeting.

Charley Valera
My Father’s War: Memories from Our Honored WWII Soldiers.