Thanks "Mother Earth" Great Stories... I Read Them Many Years Ago But Forgot The Ending...

Hope All Is Well With You And Yours, I'm Doing Good... Don D.


Two True Stories
Story Number One



Many years ago, Al Capone virtually owned Chicago. Capone wasn’t famous for anything heroic. He was notorious for enmeshing the Windy City in everything from bootlegged booze and prostitution to murder.



Capone had a lawyer nicknamed “Easy Eddie.” He was Capone’s lawyer for a good reason. Eddie was very good! In fact, Eddie’s sk**l 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, but Eddie got special dividends as well. For instance, he and his family occupied a fenced-in mansion with live-in help and all the conveniences of the day. The estate was so large that it filled an entire Chicago city block. Eddie lived the high life of the Chicago mob and gave little consideration to the atrocities that went on around him.



Eddie did have one soft spot, however. He had a son that he loved dearly. Eddie saw to it that his young son had 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. Eddie wanted his son to be a better man than he was. Yet, with all his wealth and influence, there were two things he couldn’t give his son: he couldn’t pass on a good name or a good example.



One day, Easy Eddie reached a difficult decision. To rectify the wrongs he had done, he decided to go to the authorities and tell the t***h about Al “Scarface” Capone, clean up his tarnished name, and offer his son some semblance of integrity. To do this, he would have to testify against The Mob, and he knew that the cost would be great. So, he testified. . .



Within the year, Easy Eddie’s life ended in a blaze of gunfire on a lonely Chicago street; but in his eyes, he had given his son the greatest gift he had to offer, at the greatest price he could ever pay. Police removed from his pockets a rosary, a crucifix, a religious medallion, and a clipping from a magazine that read:



“The clock of life is wound but once, and no man has the power to tell just when the hands will stop, at late or early hour. Now is the only time you own. Live, love, toil with a will. Place no faith in time. For the clock may soon be still. . .”



Story Number Two



World War II produced many heroes. One such man was Lieutenant Commander Butch O’Hare. He was a fighter pilot assigned to the aircraft carrier Lexington 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 aircraft was speeding its 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 from the fleet.



Laying aside all thoughts of personal safety, he dove into the formation of Japanese planes. Wing-mounted 50 caliber guns 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 his ammunition was gone.



Undaunted, he continued the assault. He dove at the planes, trying to clip a wing or tail, in hopes of damaging as many enemy planes as possible, rendering them unable to fly. Finally, the exasperated Japanese squadron retreated. 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. Film from the gun camera mounted on his plane told the tale. It showed the extent of Butch’s daring attempt to protect his fleet. He had, in fact, destroyed five enemy aircraft.



This interception took place on February 20, 1942, and for that action Butch became the Navy’s first Ace of WWII, and the first Naval Aviator to receive the Medal of Honor. A year later, Butch was k**led in aerial combat at the age of 29.



His hometown would not allow the memory of this WWII hero to fade, and today, O’Hare International Airport in Chicago is named in tribute to the courage of this great man. So, the next time you find yourself at O’Hare International, give some thought to visiting Butch’s memorial displaying his statue and his Medal of Honor. It’s located between Terminals 1 and 2.



So, what do these two stories have to do with each other? Butch O’Hare was “Easy Eddie’s” son. . .



Two Great Stories—Both Are True!


Now A Little Irony Here... That Lexington Was (CV 4), She Was Sunk In The Battle of The Coral Sea...

The New Essex Class Replacement Carrier Was Launched In 1943 USS Lexington (CV 16), I Was Born In April 1943 And The 'Lex' Was My First Ship I Served On The Flight Deck & Hanger Deck And Later 'Rep 8'... Don D.

Thanks "Mother Earth" Great Stories... I Read Them Many Years Ago But Forgot The Ending...

Hope All Is Well With You And Yours, I'm Doing Good... Don D.


Two True Stories
Story Number One



Many years ago, Al Capone virtually owned Chicago. Capone wasn’t famous for anything heroic. He was notorious for enmeshing the Windy City in everything from bootlegged booze and prostitution to murder.



Capone had a lawyer nicknamed “Easy Eddie.” He was Capone’s lawyer for a good reason. Eddie was very good! In fact, Eddie’s sk**l 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, but Eddie got special dividends as well. For instance, he and his family occupied a fenced-in mansion with live-in help and all the conveniences of the day. The estate was so large that it filled an entire Chicago city block. Eddie lived the high life of the Chicago mob and gave little consideration to the atrocities that went on around him.



Eddie did have one soft spot, however. He had a son that he loved dearly. Eddie saw to it that his young son had 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. Eddie wanted his son to be a better man than he was. Yet, with all his wealth and influence, there were two things he couldn’t give his son: he couldn’t pass on a good name or a good example.



One day, Easy Eddie reached a difficult decision. To rectify the wrongs he had done, he decided to go to the authorities and tell the t***h about Al “Scarface” Capone, clean up his tarnished name, and offer his son some semblance of integrity. To do this, he would have to testify against The Mob, and he knew that the cost would be great. So, he testified. . .



Within the year, Easy Eddie’s life ended in a blaze of gunfire on a lonely Chicago street; but in his eyes, he had given his son the greatest gift he had to offer, at the greatest price he could ever pay. Police removed from his pockets a rosary, a crucifix, a religious medallion, and a clipping from a magazine that read:



“The clock of life is wound but once, and no man has the power to tell just when the hands will stop, at late or early hour. Now is the only time you own. Live, love, toil with a will. Place no faith in time. For the clock may soon be still. . .”



Story Number Two



World War II produced many heroes. One such man was Lieutenant Commander Butch O’Hare. He was a fighter pilot assigned to the aircraft carrier Lexington 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 aircraft was speeding its 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 from the fleet.



Laying aside all thoughts of personal safety, he dove into the formation of Japanese planes. Wing-mounted 50 caliber guns 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 his ammunition was gone.



Undaunted, he continued the assault. He dove at the planes, trying to clip a wing or tail, in hopes of damaging as many enemy planes as possible, rendering them unable to fly. Finally, the exasperated Japanese squadron retreated. 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. Film from the gun camera mounted on his plane told the tale. It showed the extent of Butch’s daring attempt to protect his fleet. He had, in fact, destroyed five enemy aircraft.



This interception took place on February 20, 1942, and for that action Butch became the Navy’s first Ace of WWII, and the first Naval Aviator to receive the Medal of Honor. A year later, Butch was k**led in aerial combat at the age of 29.



His hometown would not allow the memory of this WWII hero to fade, and today, O’Hare International Airport in Chicago is named in tribute to the courage of this great man. So, the next time you find yourself at O’Hare International, give some thought to visiting Butch’s memorial displaying his statue and his Medal of Honor. It’s located between Terminals 1 and 2.



So, what do these two stories have to do with each other? Butch O’Hare was “Easy Eddie’s” son. . .



Two Great Stories—Both Are True!


Now A Little Irony Here... That Lexington Was (CV 4), She Was Sunk In The Battle of The Coral Sea...

The New Essex Class Replacement Carrier Was Launched In 1943 USS Lexington (CV 16), I Was Born In April 1943 And The 'Lex' Was My First Ship I Served On The Flight Deck & Hanger Deck And Later 'Rep 8'... Don D.

Thanks "Mother Earth" Great Stories... I Read Them Many Years Ago But Forgot The Ending...

Hope All Is Well With You And Yours, I'm Doing Good... Don D.


Two True Stories
Story Number One


Wonderful stories and fine finish. I always thought OHare was named for some criminal mayor or senator. Good to know. My grandson lives in Chicago so I’ll pass it on to him.

Many years ago, Al Capone virtually owned Chicago. Capone wasn’t famous for anything heroic. He was notorious for enmeshing the Windy City in everything from bootlegged booze and prostitution to murder.



Capone had a lawyer nicknamed “Easy Eddie.” He was Capone’s lawyer for a good reason. Eddie was very good! In fact, Eddie’s sk**l 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, but Eddie got special dividends as well. For instance, he and his family occupied a fenced-in mansion with live-in help and all the conveniences of the day. The estate was so large that it filled an entire Chicago city block. Eddie lived the high life of the Chicago mob and gave little consideration to the atrocities that went on around him.



Eddie did have one soft spot, however. He had a son that he loved dearly. Eddie saw to it that his young son had 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. Eddie wanted his son to be a better man than he was. Yet, with all his wealth and influence, there were two things he couldn’t give his son: he couldn’t pass on a good name or a good example.



One day, Easy Eddie reached a difficult decision. To rectify the wrongs he had done, he decided to go to the authorities and tell the t***h about Al “Scarface” Capone, clean up his tarnished name, and offer his son some semblance of integrity. To do this, he would have to testify against The Mob, and he knew that the cost would be great. So, he testified. . .



Within the year, Easy Eddie’s life ended in a blaze of gunfire on a lonely Chicago street; but in his eyes, he had given his son the greatest gift he had to offer, at the greatest price he could ever pay. Police removed from his pockets a rosary, a crucifix, a religious medallion, and a clipping from a magazine that read:



“The clock of life is wound but once, and no man has the power to tell just when the hands will stop, at late or early hour. Now is the only time you own. Live, love, toil with a will. Place no faith in time. For the clock may soon be still. . .”



Story Number Two



World War II produced many heroes. One such man was Lieutenant Commander Butch O’Hare. He was a fighter pilot assigned to the aircraft carrier Lexington 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 aircraft was speeding its 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 from the fleet.



Laying aside all thoughts of personal safety, he dove into the formation of Japanese planes. Wing-mounted 50 caliber guns 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 his ammunition was gone.



Undaunted, he continued the assault. He dove at the planes, trying to clip a wing or tail, in hopes of damaging as many enemy planes as possible, rendering them unable to fly. Finally, the exasperated Japanese squadron retreated. 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. Film from the gun camera mounted on his plane told the tale. It showed the extent of Butch’s daring attempt to protect his fleet. He had, in fact, destroyed five enemy aircraft.



This interception took place on February 20, 1942, and for that action Butch became the Navy’s first Ace of WWII, and the first Naval Aviator to receive the Medal of Honor. A year later, Butch was k**led in aerial combat at the age of 29.



His hometown would not allow the memory of this WWII hero to fade, and today, O’Hare International Airport in Chicago is named in tribute to the courage of this great man. So, the next time you find yourself at O’Hare International, give some thought to visiting Butch’s memorial displaying his statue and his Medal of Honor. It’s located between Terminals 1 and 2.



So, what do these two stories have to do with each other? Butch O’Hare was “Easy Eddie’s” son. . .



Two Great Stories—Both Are True!


Now A Little Irony Here... That Lexington Was (CV 4), She Was Sunk In The Battle of The Coral Sea...

The New Essex Class Replacement Carrier Was Launched In 1943 USS Lexington (CV 16), I Was Born In April 1943 And The 'Lex' Was My First Ship I Served On The Flight Deck & Hanger Deck And Later 'Rep 8'... Don D.

Thanks "Mother Earth" Great Stories... I Read Them Many Years Ago But Forgot The Ending...

Hope All Is Well With You And Yours, I'm Doing Good... Don D.


Two True Stories
Story Number One



Many years ago, Al Capone virtually owned Chicago. Capone wasn’t famous for anything heroic. He was notorious for enmeshing the Windy City in everything from bootlegged booze and prostitution to murder.



Capone had a lawyer nicknamed “Easy Eddie.” He was Capone’s lawyer for a good reason. Eddie was very good! In fact, Eddie’s sk**l 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, but Eddie got special dividends as well. For instance, he and his family occupied a fenced-in mansion with live-in help and all the conveniences of the day. The estate was so large that it filled an entire Chicago city block. Eddie lived the high life of the Chicago mob and gave little consideration to the atrocities that went on around him.



Eddie did have one soft spot, however. He had a son that he loved dearly. Eddie saw to it that his young son had 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. Eddie wanted his son to be a better man than he was. Yet, with all his wealth and influence, there were two things he couldn’t give his son: he couldn’t pass on a good name or a good example.



One day, Easy Eddie reached a difficult decision. To rectify the wrongs he had done, he decided to go to the authorities and tell the t***h about Al “Scarface” Capone, clean up his tarnished name, and offer his son some semblance of integrity. To do this, he would have to testify against The Mob, and he knew that the cost would be great. So, he testified. . .



Within the year, Easy Eddie’s life ended in a blaze of gunfire on a lonely Chicago street; but in his eyes, he had given his son the greatest gift he had to offer, at the greatest price he could ever pay. Police removed from his pockets a rosary, a crucifix, a religious medallion, and a clipping from a magazine that read:



“The clock of life is wound but once, and no man has the power to tell just when the hands will stop, at late or early hour. Now is the only time you own. Live, love, toil with a will. Place no faith in time. For the clock may soon be still. . .”



Story Number Two



World War II produced many heroes. One such man was Lieutenant Commander Butch O’Hare. He was a fighter pilot assigned to the aircraft carrier Lexington 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 aircraft was speeding its 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 from the fleet.



Laying aside all thoughts of personal safety, he dove into the formation of Japanese planes. Wing-mounted 50 caliber guns 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 his ammunition was gone.



Undaunted, he continued the assault. He dove at the planes, trying to clip a wing or tail, in hopes of damaging as many enemy planes as possible, rendering them unable to fly. Finally, the exasperated Japanese squadron retreated. 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. Film from the gun camera mounted on his plane told the tale. It showed the extent of Butch’s daring attempt to protect his fleet. He had, in fact, destroyed five enemy aircraft.



This interception took place on February 20, 1942, and for that action Butch became the Navy’s first Ace of WWII, and the first Naval Aviator to receive the Medal of Honor. A year later, Butch was k**led in aerial combat at the age of 29.



His hometown would not allow the memory of this WWII hero to fade, and today, O’Hare International Airport in Chicago is named in tribute to the courage of this great man. So, the next time you find yourself at O’Hare International, give some thought to visiting Butch’s memorial displaying his statue and his Medal of Honor. It’s located between Terminals 1 and 2.



So, what do these two stories have to do with each other? Butch O’Hare was “Easy Eddie’s” son. . .



Two Great Stories—Both Are True!


Now A Little Irony Here... That Lexington Was (CV 4), She Was Sunk In The Battle of The Coral Sea...

The New Essex Class Replacement Carrier Was Launched In 1943 USS Lexington (CV 16), I Was Born In April 1943 And The 'Lex' Was My First Ship I Served On The Flight Deck & Hanger Deck And Later 'Rep 8'... Don D.