thedrifter
04-19-03, 07:53 AM
The Right Thing to Do
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During the course of 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 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 mothership, 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 nation's highest military honors. And, as you may know,
O'Hare Airport in Chicago was named after him.
Prior to this time, in Chicago, there was a man
called 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 thing's 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 ason. 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, and a good example. 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. Within the
year, he was shot and killed on a lonely street in Chicago.
These sound like two unrelated stories, but Butch
O'Hare was Easy Eddie's son.
-Author Unknown
Sempers,
Roger
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During the course of 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 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 mothership, 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 nation's highest military honors. And, as you may know,
O'Hare Airport in Chicago was named after him.
Prior to this time, in Chicago, there was a man
called 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 thing's 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 ason. 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, and a good example. 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. Within the
year, he was shot and killed on a lonely street in Chicago.
These sound like two unrelated stories, but Butch
O'Hare was Easy Eddie's son.
-Author Unknown
Sempers,
Roger