This is another story more dependent on the date than anything specific to what the ship or the crew were doing, but it’s a good story that not many people know about. Streets and buildings on military bases are named for people and things that are part of our history. The ships I served were named for a historic battle and a famous naval officer. Maybe this is why I am always curious to know the people behind the names of famous landmarks, buildings, bridges, etc. With the internet, now it is easy to discover most of them. Making those connections is fun for me, and I hope these stories inspired some of my Sailors make some connections of their own.
Butch didn’t like the odds. With his wingman’s guns jammed all that was left were his Wildcat’s four guns, which had only enough ammunition left for 34 seconds’ worth of firing. But if he wanted a place to land, he was going to have to stop those nine Japanese bombers from striking his carrier. So he attacked.
With controlled, accurate fire during four attack runs he shot down five of the bombers and damaged a sixth before he ran out of ammo. It was enough to make the bombing attack miss its target completely. He had used only 60 rounds for each bomber splashed and saved the USS Lexington from being lost, or even damaged. For his actions on 20 February, 1942 (81 years ago this date) he became the 1st Naval Aviator ever to be awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.
What makes Butch’s story even more remarkable is how unlikely it was, given that his father was a Chicago lawyer with ties to organized crime. His dad was known as “Artful Eddie,” because he had helped many of gangland Chicago’s worst criminals walk free through all kinds of legal loopholes. But it was while working for Al Capone that Artful Eddie had a change of heart. He decided to testify against Al Capone and help the Federal government convict one of its most wanted criminals. His testimony cost Eddie his life, but it allowed his son Butch O’Hare to be accepted into the U.S. Naval Academy and become a naval aviator.
Next time you fly through Chicago you can see a plane like the one Butch flew on his heroic day hanging in the airport that now bears his name. Underneath it you can read the story of the gangster’s son who became a Navy fighter ace and war hero.
Never forget that it isn’t about who your parents are or were, or where you come from, or even what you’ve done in the past. What matters is what you do right now. So, always do what’s right. It increases your chances of making a safe landing.
LET US PRAY
Lord, grant us the strength we need to make right choices every day. It takes strength because the right choice is most often the more difficult choice. Grant us the wisdom to see our choices clearly and lead us on the right path always, for you, O God, are our guide and guardian, and it is You that we ask and in Your name that we pray.
AMEN
An Orthodox Priest Abroad 