Wednesday, February 8, 2012

It takes courage


During 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 he entered 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 mother ship, he could see a squadron Japanese Zeroes heading to attack. And with as all the fighter planes gone, the fighter was almost defenseless. His was the only opportunity to distract and divert them. Single-headedly, 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 mote about the terrain, enemy maneuvers, et cetera.
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 teaching the American ships. Finally, the Japanese squadron took off to another direction, and Butch O’Hare and both badly shot up, limped back to the carrier.


 He told his story, but not until camera on his plane was developed, did they realize the extent really was to, to protect his fleet. He was recognized as a hero and given one of the US highest military honors. The O’ Hare Airport was named after him.
 Prior to this time in Chicago, there was a man called Easy Eddie. He was working for Al Capone. Ai Capone wasn’t famous for anything heroic, but he was notorious for the murders he’d committed and illegal things he’d done. Easy Eddie was Al Capone’s layer and he was very good. Because of his skill, he kept Al Capone out of jail. To show his appreciation, Al Canoe paid him very well.
Easy Eddie had a son. He loved his son and gave him all the best things. But one thing he couldn’t give his son was a good name, and a good example. 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.
These sound like two unrelated stories, but butch O’ Hare was Easy Eddie’s son.