Posted on 03/12/2021 5:48:13 PM PST by ammodotcom
Edward “Butch” O’Hare was the Navy’s first flying ace, a World War II hero whose name would have been commonly known at the time, but has sadly faded out of view for most Americans. With severely limited ammunition supplies, he was able to shoot down five Japanese bombers, which is how he became the first Naval recipient of the Medal of Honor during the Second World War.
But this was not his only brush with world history: His father, known around Chicago as “Easy Eddie,” was Al Capone’s high-powered attorney. Easy Eddie was so prized by Capone that he wasn’t just paid a handsome salary – he was also kept in the lap of luxury in a house the size of an entire Chicago city block filled with servants.
Easy Eddie lavished the young Butch with gifts. But he was also concerned with his education and moral upbringing – the latter of which changed Easy Eddie’s entire life, when he ultimately decided to testify against Capone in open court. Needless to say, this didn’t end well for Eddie Senior: His life ended in a hail of bullets on the streets of Chicago.
This was an important moment in the life of Butch. It was here that he learned the true meaning of courage from his father. And he would carry this with him into the air when he fought the Japanese during World War II.
He also picked up his love of aviation from his father. The elder O’Hare caught the bug toward the end of his career as Capone’s attorney. He once hitched a ride with Charles Lindbergh, and took the yoke on commercial flights whenever the opportunity presented itself. Sometimes he would let young Butch take the controls.
(Excerpt) Read more at ammo.com ...
Too much “whiteness” means that WWII history cannot be taught in government schools today...
In fact, it hasn’t been taught about for years in some states...
Believe Cushing in the civil war was the first naval recipient
Thanks. He and his Father are both worth knowing about.
Naming the airport in his honour shows Chicago at its best.
Butch was the first member of the United States Navy to receive the Medal of Honor for his actions, just 74 days after Pearl Harbor, during World War II. The Battle of Midway would not start for another 104 days.
Among those privileged to wear the Wings of Gold, the deeds of men such as Butch O'Hare, Jimmy Thatch, Wade McClusky, Richard Halsey Best, and Maxwell Leslie, shall be recounted, honored, and remembered until Valhalla.
Great story.
That ORD coding for O’Hare goes back to its original name when it was designated Orchard Field.
I was at the Palm Springs Air Museum yesterday, a great collection of military aircraft and very knowledgeable volunteers, most of who are Veterans. There is a nice tribute to Butch O’Hare as well many other heroes. It felt good to be there.
Damn, I didn’t know O’Hare was named after a fighter pilot. Here in Green Bay, our airport is named after Austin Straubel, who served in the U.S. Army Air Forces.
There is no Presidential Medal of Honor but otherwise a great and inspiring story! 230,000 cigarettes!!!!!!!
Thanks for mentioning Lcdr Wade McClusky- USS Enterprise CV-6, CAG)...Along with Adm Raymond Spruance, he is one of the least publicly recognized heroes of WWII.
That is quite a lot of cigarettes! I don’t imagine future war heroes can expect such a gift.
I recall attending middle school with a girl who had not heard of Hitler. But then again, in my 20s I encountered a man who thought Karl Marx was the host of You Bet Your Life.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.