Cool Story-Butch O'Hare-WW2 Ace - Aircraft of World War II

Messy1 · 06-17-2009, 11:08 AM

I am sure many of you all ready knew this, but it may be new to some. I found it really interesting and thought I'd pass it on.

Many years ago, Al Capone virtually owned Chicago. Capone wasn't famous for anything
heroic. He was*notorious for enmeshing the windy city in everything from bootlegged booze and prostitution to murder.

Capone had a lawyer nicknamed "Easy Eddie." He was Capone's lawyer for a good reason. Eddie was
very good! In fact, Eddie's skill at legal maneuvering kept Big Al out of jail for a long time.
To show his appreciation, Capone paid him very well. Not only was the money big, but Eddie got special dividends, as well. For instance, he and his family occupied a fenced-in mansion with live-in help and all of the conveniences of the day. The estate was so large that it filled an entire Chicago City block. Eddie lived the high life of the Chicago*mob and gave little consideration to the atrocity that went on around him.

Eddie did have one soft spot, however. He had a son that he loved dearly. Eddie saw to it that his young son had clothes, cars, and a good education. Nothing was withheld. Price was no object. And, despite his involvement with organized crime, Eddie even tried to teach him right from wrong. Eddie wanted his son to be a better man than he was. Yet, with all his wealth and influence, there were two things he couldn't give his son; he couldn't pass on a good name or a good example.

One day, Easy Eddie reached a difficult decision. Easy Eddie wanted to rectify wrongs he had done. He decided he would go to the authorities and tell the truth about Al "Scarface" Capone, clean up his tarnished name, and offer his son some semblance of integrity. To do this, he would have to testify against The Mob, and he knew that the cost would be great. So, he testified. Within the year, Easy Eddie's life ended in a blaze of gunfire on a lonely Chicago Street. But in his eyes, he had given his son the greatest gift he had to offer, at the greatest price he could ever pay Police removed from his pockets a rosary, a crucifix, a religious medallion, and a poem clipped from a magazine.
*The poem read:

"The clock of life is wound but once, and no man has the power to tell just when the hands will stop,at late or early hour. Now is the only time you own. Live, love, toil with a will. Place no faith in time.* For the clock may soon be still."

STORY NUMBER TWO

World War II produced many heroes. One such man was Lieutenant Commander Butch O'Hare. He was a fighter pilot assigned to the aircraft carrier Lexington in the South Pacific. One day his entire squadron was sent on a mission. After he was airborne, he looked at his fuel gauge and realized that someone had forgotten to top off his fuel tank. He would not have enough fuel to complete his mission and get back to his ship. His flight leader told him to return to the carrier. Reluctantly, he dropped out of formation and headed back to the fleet. As he was returning to the mother ship, he saw something that turned his blood cold; a squadron of Japanese aircraft was speeding its way toward the American fleet. The American fighters were gone on a sortie, and the fleet was all but defenseless.* He couldn't reach his squadron and bring them back in time to save the fleet. Nor could he warn the fleet of the approaching danger.There was only one thing to do. He must somehow divert them from the fleet.

Laying aside all thoughts of personal safety, he dove into the formation of Japanese planes. Wing-mounted 50 caliber's blazed as he charged in, attacking one surprised enemy plane and then another. Butch wove in and out of the now broken formation and fired at as many planes as possible until all his ammunition was finally spent. Undaunted, he continued the assault. He dove at the planes, trying to clip a wing or tail in hopes of damaging as many enemy planes as possible, rendering them unfit to fly. Finally, the exasperated Japanese squadron took off in another direction. Deeply relieved, Butch O'Hare and his tattered fighter limped back to the carrier. Upon arrival, he reported in and related the event surrounding his return. The film from the gun-camera mounted on his plane told the tale. It showed the extent of Butch's daring attempt to protect his fleet. He had, in fact, destroyed five enemy aircraft.

This took place on February 20, 1942, and for that action Butch became the Navy's first Ace of W.W.II, and the first Naval Aviator to win the Congressional Medal of Honor. A year later Butch was killed in aerial combat at the age of 29.* His home town would not allow the memory of this WW II hero to fade, and today, O'Hare Airport in*Chicago*is named in tribute to the courage of this great man.

So, the next time you find yourself at O'Hare International, give some thought to visiting Butch's memorial displaying his statue and his Medal of Honor. It's located between Terminals 1 and 2.

SO WHAT DO THESE TWO STORIES HAVE TO DO WITH EACH OTHER?

Butch O'Hare was "Easy Eddie's" son.

Thorlifter · 06-17-2009, 11:30 AM

That's too cool!!!! Thanks Messy.

Messy1 · 06-17-2009, 11:42 AM

I have heard that the facts about his father are not totally true, but for the most part the story is accurate about Butch O'Hare. There is plenty of debate that his father was more interested in saving his own butt, than in teaching his son right from wrong.

More in fo on Butch O'Hare
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_O%27Hare

More on his father.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_J._O%27Hare

comiso90 · 06-17-2009, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Messy1

[B]

So, the next time you find yourself at O'Hare International, give some thought to visiting Butch's memorial displaying his statue and his Medal of Honor. It's located between Terminals 1 and 2.

]

His memorial is an F4F on display inside the terminal....
always cool to see.

RabidAlien · 06-18-2009, 02:14 PM

I'd read that before, and always wondered about Easy Eddie's "change of heart", too....but, whatever his motivations, its still a cool story to see how much one person can overcome the circumstances of their birth and rise to great heights.

Von Frag · 06-18-2009, 07:03 PM

Is the gun camera footage from this encounter available? Has anyone ever seen it?

vikingBerserker · 06-18-2009, 08:12 PM

It's still a pretty cool story.

GrauGeist · 06-19-2009, 02:07 AM

At least "Easy Eddie" didn't raise a coward...

Thanks for posting that, Messy!

snafud1 · 06-19-2009, 02:52 AM

I had read that before and it is a cool story.

Messy1 · 06-19-2009, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GrauGeist

At least "Easy Eddie" didn't raise a coward...

Thanks for posting that, Messy!

Very true GG!

RabidAlien · 06-19-2009, 03:27 PM

A quick 30-second Google search turned up no gun-camera footage, but Snopes did cover this one: snopes.com: Eddie O'Hare and Son

Gnomey · 06-19-2009, 04:52 PM

Interesting story, thanks for sharing.

wheelsup_cavu · 06-19-2009, 06:24 PM

I've seen this story before.
No matter what the fathers motives for turning states evidence were Butch did more than his duty that day.

Somebody just posted pictures of his memorial recently.

Wheelsup

Wayne Little · 06-26-2009, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snafud1

I had read that before and it is a cool story.

Me too!!

06-17-2009, 11:08 AM	#1
Messy1 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Ankeny, Iowa Posts: 1,411	Cool Story-Butch O'Hare-WW2 Ace I am sure many of you all ready knew this, but it may be new to some. I found it really interesting and thought I'd pass it on. Many years ago, Al Capone virtually owned Chicago. Capone wasn't famous for anything heroic. He wasnotorious for enmeshing the windy city in everything from bootlegged booze and prostitution to murder. Capone had a lawyer nicknamed "Easy Eddie." He was Capone's lawyer for a good reason. Eddie was very good! In fact, Eddie's skill at legal maneuvering kept Big Al out of jail for a long time. To show his appreciation, Capone paid him very well. Not only was the money big, but Eddie got special dividends, as well. For instance, he and his family occupied a fenced-in mansion with live-in help and all of the conveniences of the day. The estate was so large that it filled an entire Chicago City block. Eddie lived the high life of the Chicagomob and gave little consideration to the atrocity that went on around him. Eddie did have one soft spot, however. He had a son that he loved dearly. Eddie saw to it that his young son had clothes, cars, and a good education. Nothing was withheld. Price was no object. And, despite his involvement with organized crime, Eddie even tried to teach him right from wrong. Eddie wanted his son to be a better man than he was. Yet, with all his wealth and influence, there were two things he couldn't give his son; he couldn't pass on a good name or a good example. One day, Easy Eddie reached a difficult decision. Easy Eddie wanted to rectify wrongs he had done. He decided he would go to the authorities and tell the truth about Al "Scarface" Capone, clean up his tarnished name, and offer his son some semblance of integrity. To do this, he would have to testify against The Mob, and he knew that the cost would be great. So, he testified. Within the year, Easy Eddie's life ended in a blaze of gunfire on a lonely Chicago Street. But in his eyes, he had given his son the greatest gift he had to offer, at the greatest price he could ever pay Police removed from his pockets a rosary, a crucifix, a religious medallion, and a poem clipped from a magazine. The poem read: "The clock of life is wound but once, and no man has the power to tell just when the hands will stop,at late or early hour. Now is the only time you own. Live, love, toil with a will. Place no faith in time. For the clock may soon be still." STORY NUMBER TWO World War II produced many heroes. One such man was Lieutenant Commander Butch O'Hare. He was a fighter pilot assigned to the aircraft carrier Lexington in the South Pacific. One day his entire squadron was sent on a mission. After he was airborne, he looked at his fuel gauge and realized that someone had forgotten to top off his fuel tank. He would not have enough fuel to complete his mission and get back to his ship. His flight leader told him to return to the carrier. Reluctantly, he dropped out of formation and headed back to the fleet. As he was returning to the mother ship, he saw something that turned his blood cold; a squadron of Japanese aircraft was speeding its way toward the American fleet. The American fighters were gone on a sortie, and the fleet was all but defenseless.* He couldn't reach his squadron and bring them back in time to save the fleet. Nor could he warn the fleet of the approaching danger.There was only one thing to do. He must somehow divert them from the fleet. Laying aside all thoughts of personal safety, he dove into the formation of Japanese planes. Wing-mounted 50 caliber's blazed as he charged in, attacking one surprised enemy plane and then another. Butch wove in and out of the now broken formation and fired at as many planes as possible until all his ammunition was finally spent. Undaunted, he continued the assault. He dove at the planes, trying to clip a wing or tail in hopes of damaging as many enemy planes as possible, rendering them unfit to fly. Finally, the exasperated Japanese squadron took off in another direction. Deeply relieved, Butch O'Hare and his tattered fighter limped back to the carrier. Upon arrival, he reported in and related the event surrounding his return. The film from the gun-camera mounted on his plane told the tale. It showed the extent of Butch's daring attempt to protect his fleet. He had, in fact, destroyed five enemy aircraft. This took place on February 20, 1942, and for that action Butch became the Navy's first Ace of W.W.II, and the first Naval Aviator to win the Congressional Medal of Honor. A year later Butch was killed in aerial combat at the age of 29.* His home town would not allow the memory of this WW II hero to fade, and today, O'Hare Airport inChicagois named in tribute to the courage of this great man. So, the next time you find yourself at O'Hare International, give some thought to visiting Butch's memorial displaying his statue and his Medal of Honor. It's located between Terminals 1 and 2. SO WHAT DO THESE TWO STORIES HAVE TO DO WITH EACH OTHER? Butch O'Hare was "Easy Eddie's" son. __________________ Bryon O P-61 Black Widow-Mistress of the Night! "No bastard ever won a war by dying for his country. He won it by making the other poor dumb bastard die for his country." George S. Patton "Listen, strange women lyin' in ponds distributin' swords is no basis for a system of government." "Oh but if I went 'round sayin' I was Emperor, just because some moistened bint lobbed a scimitar at me, they'd put me away." Last edited by Messy1; 06-17-2009 at 11:18 AM.

06-17-2009, 11:30 AM	#2
Thorlifter Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Dallas, Tx Posts: 4,346	That's too cool!!!! Thanks Messy. __________________

06-17-2009, 11:42 AM	#3
Messy1 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Ankeny, Iowa Posts: 1,411	I have heard that the facts about his father are not totally true, but for the most part the story is accurate about Butch O'Hare. There is plenty of debate that his father was more interested in saving his own butt, than in teaching his son right from wrong. More in fo on Butch O'Hare http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_O%27Hare More on his father. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_J._O%27Hare __________________ Bryon O P-61 Black Widow-Mistress of the Night! "No bastard ever won a war by dying for his country. He won it by making the other poor dumb bastard die for his country." George S. Patton "Listen, strange women lyin' in ponds distributin' swords is no basis for a system of government." "Oh but if I went 'round sayin' I was Emperor, just because some moistened bint lobbed a scimitar at me, they'd put me away." Last edited by Messy1; 06-17-2009 at 11:56 AM.

06-18-2009, 02:14 PM	#5
RabidAlien Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Hurst, Texas Posts: 2,825	I'd read that before, and always wondered about Easy Eddie's "change of heart", too....but, whatever his motivations, its still a cool story to see how much one person can overcome the circumstances of their birth and rise to great heights. __________________ Pillage, then burn. Argue not with dragons, for thou art crunchy and go well on toast.

06-18-2009, 08:12 PM	#7
vikingBerserker Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: South Carolina Posts: 3,760	It's still a pretty cool story. __________________ "Those who forget the past are condemned to repeat it" "Those who dwell in the past, condemn the future"

06-18-2009, 07:03 PM	#6
Von Frag Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 84	Is the gun camera footage from this encounter available? Has anyone ever seen it?

06-19-2009, 02:07 AM	#8
GrauGeist Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Redding, California Posts: 3,347	At least "Easy Eddie" didn't raise a coward... Thanks for posting that, Messy! __________________ "Look back over the past, with its changing empires that rose and fell, and you can foresee the future." - Marcus Aurelius, Emperor of Rome > I Support Doug Gillis <

06-19-2009, 02:52 AM	#9
snafud1 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Mattoon, IL Posts: 445	I had read that before and it is a cool story. __________________

06-19-2009, 03:27 PM	#11
RabidAlien Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Hurst, Texas Posts: 2,825	A quick 30-second Google search turned up no gun-camera footage, but Snopes did cover this one: snopes.com: Eddie O'Hare and Son __________________ Pillage, then burn. Argue not with dragons, for thou art crunchy and go well on toast.

06-19-2009, 04:52 PM	#12
Gnomey "World Traveller" Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Royal Deeside/St Andrews, Scotland, UK Posts: 15,224	Interesting story, thanks for sharing. __________________ "Success is not Final, Failure is not Fatal, it is the Courage to Continue that Counts" Sir Winston Churchill "To him the People of the World Largely owe the Freedom and Liberties they Enjoy Today" Enscription on Hugh Dowding's (AOC Fighter Command 1936-40) statue in London WW2 Talk: A WW2 Discussion Forum My Photo Collections on Flickr

06-19-2009, 06:24 PM	#13
wheelsup_cavu Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Corona, California Posts: 1,534	I've seen this story before. No matter what the fathers motives for turning states evidence were Butch did more than his duty that day. Somebody just posted pictures of his memorial recently. Wheelsup __________________ Cheers Wheelsup_cavu Wheels's Photos - Time lapse build of an F/A-18 Super Hornet - Lock N' Load

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