During the course of World War II, many people
gained fame in one way or another. One man was Butch O'Hare. He was a
fighter pilot assigned to an aircraft carrier in the Pacific. One time
his entire squadron was assigned to fly a particular mission. After he was
airborne, he looked at his fuel gauge and realized that someone had
forgotten to top off his fuel tank.
Because of this, he would not have enough fuel to
complete his mission and get back to his ship. His flight leader told
him to leave formation and return. As he was returning to the ship, he
could see a squadron of Japanese Zeroes heading toward the
fleet to attack. And with all the fighter planes gone, the fleet was
almost defenseless. His was the only opportunity to distract and divert
them. Single-handedly, he dove into the formation of Japanese planes and
attacked them. The American fighter planes were rigged with cameras,
so that as they flew and fought, pictures were taken so pilots could learn
more about the terrain, enemy maneuvers, etc. Butch dove at them and shot
until all his ammunition was gone, then he would dive and try to clip off a
wing or tail or anything that would make the enemy planes
unfit to fly. He did anything he could to keep them from reaching the
American ships.
Finally, the Japanese squadron took off in another direction, and Butch O'Hare
and his fighter, both badly shot up, limped back to the carrier.
He told his story, but not until the film from the camera on his plane was
developed, did they realize the extent he really went to, to protect his fleet.
He was recognized as a hero and given one of the nations highest military honors.
And as you know, the O'Hare Airport was named after him.
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Prior to this time in Chicago, there was a man
named Easy Eddie. He was working for a man you've all heard about, Al
Capone. Al Capone wasn't famous for anything heroic, but he was notorious
for the murders he'd committed and the illegal things he'd done. Easy
Eddie was Al Capone's lawyer and he was very good. In fact, because of his
skill, he was able to keep Al Capone out of jail.
To show his appreciation, Al Capone paid him very
well. He not only earned big money, he would get extra things, like
a residence that filled an entire Chicago city block. The house
was fenced, and he had live-in help and all of the conveniences of the
day.
Easy Eddie had a son. He loved his son and gave him all the best
things while he was growing up; clothes, cars, and a
good education And because he loved his son he tried to teach him
right from wrong. But one thing he couldn't give his son was a good
name, and a good example.
Easy Eddie decided that this was much more
important than all the riches he had given him. So, he went to the
authorities in order to rectify the wrong he had done. In order to tell
the truth, it meant he must testify against Al Capone, and he knew that Al
Capone would do his best to have him killed. But he wanted most of all to
try to be an example and to do the best he could to give back to his
son, a good name. So he testified. Within the year, he was shot and
killed on a lonely street in Chicago.
These sound like two unrelated stories, but Butch
O'Hare was Easy Eddie's son. |
