The remains of Sgt. Michael A. Chiodo, the assistant radio operator on a B-24J bomber lost over Germany in April 1944, were laid to rest with full military honors Wednesday in Chesterland, Ohio, east of Cleveland, his hometown. The burial came just two days after the Defense Department announced the recovery of Chiodo’s remains. Northern Ohio’s News-Herald reports that Chiodo’s 87-year-old sister Rose, who hadn’t seen her brother since he left for war in 1943, attended the funeral. German fighters shot down Chiodo’s B-24J on April 29, 1944, near Hanover before it reached Berlin, according to DOD’s account. Chiodo was 22 years old at the time of his death. One of Chiodo’s recovered crewmates, Sgt. John P. Bonnassiolle, was buried in August in San Francisco. (See also Cleveland Plain Dealer report.)
Fiscal 2027 will be the “year of restoring our foundational readiness accounts,” Air Force Undersecretary Matthew Lohmeier promised Feb. 24, with billions of dollars going to spare parts, flying hours, facility maintenance, and more.
