- December 26, 2024
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Once a pilot, always a pilot.
A local World War II veteran recently returned to the skies after encountering a stranger on Wednesday, May 18. John DiMartino, of Ormond Beach, was celebrating his early103rd birthday with family at Manny's Pizza House when Steve Searle walked up to their table. The two soon found out they had quite a bit in common.
Both pilots, and both veterans of the U.S. Navy — Searle, of Ormond Beach, is a Vietnam War veteran — offered to take DiMartino flying to celebrate his birthday the next day.
It was a privilege, said Searle, whose father had also served in World War II.
"He already was a naval aviator," he said. "He hadn't been up in the air for quite some time. He got back up for another flight."
DiMartino even flew part of the flight.
He will turn 103 on June 24. DiMartino served from 1941 to 1945 and was stationed on Roi Numar, part of the Kwajalein Island chain, when the war was over. However, he wasn't able to leave until December of 1945. He has been a pilot for 64 years and flew until he was 90 years old.
DiMartino is originally from Boyne City, Michigan. In 1984, according to an email, he purchased a residence in Ormond Beach to be close to his sister, Grace, and he and his family have been coming down for the winter since.
