“And guide me on the long, dim trail ahead that stretches upward toward the Great Divide.” – ‘A Cowboy Prayer’ by Cowboy Poet Badger Clark
By Mary O’KEEFE
Angelo Chiarot didn’t speak much about his service in World War II, according to his grandson Robert Wollenwebber. He was typical of those of the “Greatest Generation” who served.
Angelo passed away at the age of 97 after contracting COVID-19. He had been in poor health for a while but COVID-19 was his final battle, according to Wollenwebber.
Angelo was born in Canada to Italian immigrant parents. They moved to Los Angeles when Angelo was young. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy on Dec. 9, 1942 at the age of 19. He completed boot camp at Treasure Island in San Francisco. He trained as a watertender at Norfolk and served aboard the frigate USS Gulfport in 1943 then, in 1944, joined the crew of the destroyer USS Balch in New York. He completed five trans-Atlantic convoy escort crossings to various ports in North Africa from 1944 to May 1945. He served as a U.S. Navy watertender, second class, for four years, through the end of the war.
“He told me how [while] he was in the boiler room of the ship he heard the Japanese plans overhead and heard the ‘boom’ of the bombs [dropped],” Wollenwebber said.
Angelo was an active member of American Legion Post 288. He attended several events at the lodge, like bingo fundraisers, and even celebrated his birthday with fellow vets. The veterans at Post 288 and Veterans of Foreign Wars 1614 honored his service throughout his membership including on Veterans Day ceremonies and, most recently in May 2020, veterans, law enforcement and fire department representatives did a “drive by” celebration for his 97th birthday. At the time he was living at Mountview Senior Living facility and waved as the parade of admirers drove by.
The American Legion recently named him Veteran of the Year.
“Angelo was one of the roughest, toughest guys I knew with a heart of gold,” said Darren Azarian, former commander of American Legion Post 288. “He was a true patriot, hard worker, defender of family and friends and would do anything for anyone. Up to the last day I saw him he had a positive outlook on life and always contributed to any community ask put his way.”
“Angelo was one of the roughest, toughest guys I knew with a heart of gold,” said Darren Azarian of American Legion Post 288. “He was a true patriot, hard worker, defender of family and friends and would do anything for anyone. Up to the last day I saw him he had a positive outlook on life and always contributed to any community ask put his way.”
After the war Angelo worked for the Los Angeles County Fire Dept. as a heavy equipment operator. Prior to his retirement from LACoFD he responded to several wildfires.
But for Wollenwebber, Angelo was just a wonderful grandfather.
“He was a rough and tough [man],” Wollenwebber said. “My fondest memory as a kid was when he would take me to rodeos.”
Angelo was a cowboy at heart and loved his horse, which he boarded for years in Shadow Hills.
“He would go there every morning to see his horse,” Wollenwebber added.
In recent years his health began to fail but that didn’t stop him for attending American Legion events and being available for his fellow, though younger, veterans.
Angelo was a loving grandfather, father and husband. Although he has died, the debt owed to him by the country will never be forgotten.