Scoutmaster minute - The Tale of O'Hare
CHUCK BRAMLET (chuckb@AZTEC.ASU.EDU)
Mon, 30 Aug 1999 11:45:42 -0700
Maybe we can find some Scoutmaster minute material in here...
(I haven't checked this story out. Mark?)
================= Begin forwarded message =================
From: TWOPILGRIM
To: chuckb@aztec.asu.edu
Subject: Fwd: Fw: FYI
Date: Sun, 29 Aug
> The Tale of O'Hare
> ------------------
>
> 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 carrier, 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 gun
> 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 know, the O'Hare
> Airport was also 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 thing's he'd done. Easy
> Eddie was Al Capon'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,
> 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.
>
---
>
> This sounds like two unrelated stories. But Butch O'Hare was Easy
> Eddie's son.
>
YiS,
Chuck Bramlet -- I "used to be" an Antelope! WEM-10-95 Member DNRC
ASM Troop 323, Firebird District, Grand Canyon Council, Phoenix, Az.
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"When we lose the right to be different, we lose the privilege to
be free." -- Charles Evans Hughes
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