Lmbrghini

Thought you might enjoy reading this. I'd read about it years ago but a friend just sent it to me again....

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**** Story number one *****World War II produced many heroes. One such man
was Butch O'Hare. He was a fighter pilot assigned to an aircraft carrier 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 Zeroes was speeding their
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. 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 finally all his ammunition was spent. Undaunted, he continued the
assault. He dove at the Zeroes, trying to at least clip off a wing or tail,
in hopes of damaging as many enemy planes as possible and rendering them
unfit to fly. He was desperate to do anything he could to keep them from
reaching the American ships. 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 camera mounted
on his plane told the tale. It showed the extent of Butch's daring attempt
to protect his fleet. He was recognized as a hero and given one of the
nation's highest military honors. And today, O'Hare Airport in Chicago is
named in tribute to the courage of this great man.

***** Story number two *****Some years earlier there was a man in Chicago
called Easy Eddie. At that time, Al Capone virtually owned the city. Capone
wasn't famous for anything heroic. His exploits were anything but praise
worthy. He was, however, notorious for enmeshing the city of Chicago in
everything from bootlegged booze and prostitution to murder. Easy Eddie was
Capone's lawyer and for a good reason. He was very good! In fact, his 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; Eddie
got special dividends. 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. Yes, Eddie lived
the high life of
the Chicago mob and gave little consideration to the atrocity that went on
around him. Eddy did have one soft spot, however. He had a son that he loved
dearly. Eddy saw to it that his young son had the best of everything;
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. Yes, Eddie tried to teach his son to rise
above his own sordid life. He wanted him to be a better man than he was.
Yet, with all his wealth and influence, there were two things that Eddie
couldn't give his son. Two things that Eddie sacrificed to the Capone mob
that he could not pass on to his beloved son, a good name and a good
example.

One day, Easy Eddie reached a difficult decision. Offering his son a good
name was far more important than all the riches he could lavish on him. He
had to rectify all the wrong that he had done. He would go to the
authorities and tell the truth about Scar-face Al Capone. He would try to
clean up his tarnished name and offer his son some semblance of integrity.
To do this he must testify against The Mob, and he knew that the cost would
be great. But more than anything, he wanted to be an example to his son. He
wanted to do his best to make restoration and hopefully have a good name to
leave his son. So, he testified. Within the year, Easy Eddie's life ended in
a blaze of gunfire on a lonely Chicago street. He had given his son the
greatest gift he could offer at the greatest price he would ever pay.

I know what you're thinking. What do these two stories have to do with one
another? Butch O'Hare was Easy Eddie's son.


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Don't wait for your ship to come in. Build one.

shadow

Someone sent me that about 6 months ago. Interesting stuff.

The other part of the story should be...where did ORD come from?

Answer: It stands for Orchard Field, which is what it was originally called before being renamed O'Hare.

Lmbrghini

Yes - and isn't that because there was an apple orchard nearby....?

Efrem

Is there a Web site somewhere that gives the reasons for airport codes? I know of several sites that connect airport codes with cities, and many codes (MCO, MCI, CVG, etc., etc., as well as ORD in Shadow's post above) have been discussed on these boards, but does anyone know of a place that pulls them all together?

rrz518

This site gives a more detailed account of the O'Hare battle:


http://www.acepilots.com/usn_ohare.html

MagMile

Explanations of many airport codes:

http://www.skygod.com/asstd/abc.html