(In the life of a Pilot)

Captain C.B. Sully Sullenberger does a wonderful job of landing on the Hudson river in New York.

Two Delta Pilots are lost and fly 150 miles past destination.

American Airlines jet crashes in Kingston, Jamaica.

A Pilot’s ties and affiliation with one of the most famous and notorious Chicago’s gangster and Mob Boss.

I’m sometimes told that life is stranger than fiction. So how does the US Navy’s first Fighter Ace and First Congressional Medal of Honor winner in World War II end up with ties to the Chicago Mob?

In an email I received, here is how the story goes.

During the course of World War II, many people gained fame in one way or another. One man was Edward “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 mother 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 (may or may not) know, the O'Hare Airport in Chicago was named after him.

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 but he could change it and did.

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.

This sounds like two unrelated stories. But Butch O'Hare was Easy Eddie's son

The story of how Edwards’s father turned against Al Capone and testified against him is often repeated on the internet.  In some versions of the story his father is determined to make sure that the reputation he passed on to his son is redeemed and not one associated with organized crime. Other commentators are less generous and attribute the motivation for turning against Al Capone as based on self preservation rather than concern for his son. Whatever the truth, the fact remains that Edward J O’Hare’s evidence did help convict Al Capone and in 1939 Butch O’Hare’s father paid the ultimate price within the year when he was gunned down on a lonely street in Chicago by some of Capone’s men.

On the 19th of September 1949 Chicago Airport was named O’Hare International.

To see photos of the WWII U.S. Navy Fighter Aircraft that Butch O’Hare used to shoot down the attacking Japanese Mitsubishi Zero and other aircratf he flew click here.

To see a photo of Butch O'Hare click here.