This is an iHeart Podcast. This message comes from the International Rescue Committee. The IRC has been providing humanitarian aid for more than 90 years. The International Rescue Committee helps refugees whose lives are disrupted by conflict and disaster, supporting recovery efforts in places like Gaza and Ukraine, and responding within 72 hours of crisis. Donate today by visiting rescue.org/slash rebuild.
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Alright. It's the rage bait. It feels like it's trying to divide people. If we got clear facts, maybe we could calm down a little. NBC News brings you clear reporting.
Let's meet at the facts. Let's move forward from there. NBC News reporting for America. This is Lee Habib and this is Our American Stories. And today's story comes to us from a great friend of the show, Bob Crother.
Bringing us an illustrious American tale that begins with the Chicago mob in the 1920s and ends with a heroic feat by a man who was born in 1914. Take it away, Bob. Let me tell you two stories about two men who come from my town, Chicago. Story number one. Many years ago, Al Capone virtually owned Chicago.
The pawn wasn't famous for anything heroic. He was notorious for For enmeshing the windy city in everything from bootleg booze and prostitution to murder. Capone had a lawyer named Easy Eddie. He was his lawyer for a good reason. Eddie was very good.
In fact, Eddie's skill 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. 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 atrocity that went on around him. Eddie did have one soft spot, however.
He had a son that he loved dearly. Eddy saw to it that his young son had the best of everything. close 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. that he couldn't pass on a good name. and a good example.
One day, Easy Eddie reached a difficult decision. He decided he'd go to the authorities and tell the truth about Al Scarface Capone.
Some say he did it to save himself. Others believe it was to clean up his tarnished name and offer his son some semblance of integrity. Maybe it was both. He testified against the mob. and he knew that the cost could be great.
Within the year, Easy Eddy's life ended in a blaze of gunfire. on a lonely Chicago street. but he may have given his son the greatest gift he could offer. at the greatest price. he would ever pay.
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.
He was returning to the mothership when he saw something that turned his blood cold. A squadron of Japanese aircraft was speeding their way toward the American fleet. The American fighters were gone on Asarti, 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. We 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 calibers blazed. as he charged in, attacking one surprise enemy plane and then another. Butch wove in and out of the now broken formation. and fired at as many planes as possible until all his ammunition was finally spent. 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. and rendering them unfit to fly. Finally. the exasperated Japanese squadron took off in another direction.
Deeply relieved, Butch O'Hare and his tattered fighter limp back to the carrier. Upon arrival, he reported in. and related the events surrounding his return. The film from the gun camera mounted on his plane told the tale. It showed the extent of Butcher's daring attempt to protect his fleet.
He had in fact destroyed five enemy aircraft. This took place. on february twentieth, nineteen forty two, And for that action, Butch became the Navy's first ace of World War II. and the first naval aviator to win the Congressional Medal of Honor. For heroism and extraordinary achievement in aerial flight, for distinguished service as pilot of an airplane of a bombing squadron.
His courageous actions were in keeping with the highest tradition. of the United States. A year later, Butch was killed in aerial combat at the age of 29. His hometown would not allow the memory of this World War II hero to fade. Today, O'Hare 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 Butcher's memorial, displaying his statue. and his Medal of Honor. It's located between Terminals 1 and 2.
So what the hell do these two stories have to do with each other? Butcho hair was Easy Eddie's son. And a special thanks to Bob Brother for giving us that story and sharing it. And if you've got stories like that, send them our way. By the way, what is a reputation worth?
and to have all that wealth and to have all that privilege. and to have nothing to show for it. If anything. really awful things to show for it. And what a sacrifice the dad made.
Did he do it for honor? Did he do it for other reasons? Who knows? But let's just err on the side of possibly the honor in doing the right thing for his family. Put Joe Harry's story here on Our American Stories.
Lee Habib here again, and I'd like to encourage you to subscribe to our podcast on Apple Podcasts, the iHeartRadio app, or wherever you get your podcasts. Every story we air here is uploaded there daily, and your support goes a long way to keeping the great stories you love from this show. Coming. Again, please subscribe to the Our American Stories podcast at Apple Podcasts, the iHeartRadio app, or wherever you get your podcasts. Did you know Tide has been upgraded to provide an even better clean and cold water?
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This is an iHeart podcast.
