The Origin Of Osaka's Ohara Airport Name

Chicago O'Hare International Airport is named after Edward Butch O'Hare, a US Navy pilot and war hero. On February 20, 1942, Butch's fighter plane was alone in the air when a wave of Japanese bombers swooped down on the USS Lexington. Despite the odds, Butch repeatedly attacked the enemy formation, downing five enemy aircraft. For his bravery, he was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor and became the Navy's first flying ace. On September 19, 1949, Chicago's Orchard Field Airport was renamed O'Hare International Airport in his honour.

Chicago O'Hare Airport was renamed in 1949, six years after O'Hare's death

O'Hare was born in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1914, and graduated from the Western Military Academy in 1932. He then enrolled in the United States Naval Academy, serving on the battleship USS New Mexico before beginning his naval aviation training in 1939. O'Hare's exceptional flying abilities were quickly recognised, and he was soon flying advanced aircraft and teaching combat tactics to other pilots.

On November 26, 1943, O'Hare led the Navy's first-ever nighttime fighter attack launched from an aircraft carrier. During this mission, his Grumman F6F Hellcat was shot down, and his aircraft was never found. He was declared dead a year later, and his widow received his posthumous decorations, including the Purple Heart and the Navy Cross.

In recognition of O'Hare's bravery and service, the Chicago-area Orchard Field Airport was renamed O'Hare International Airport in 1949. The airport's IATA code, ORD, was retained, honouring the airport's original name, Orchard Field. Today, O'Hare International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world, serving millions of passengers each year.

O'Hare was a US Navy pilot and the Navy's first flying ace of World War II

Chicago O'Hare International Airport, the fourth busiest airport in the US, was named after US Navy pilot Lieutenant Commander Edward Henry "Butch" O'Hare. On February 20, 1942, O'Hare became the Navy's first flying ace of World War II when he single-handedly attacked a formation of nine Japanese bombers approaching his aircraft carrier. Despite having limited ammunition, he was credited with shooting down five enemy bombers and damaging a sixth. For his bravery, O'Hare was awarded the US Medal of Honor, becoming the Navy's first aviator recipient of the award during World War II.

O'Hare was born in St. Louis, Missouri, on March 13, 1914, and enrolled in the United States Naval Academy in 1933. He graduated and was commissioned as an ensign in 1937, serving two years on the battleship USS New Mexico before starting his naval aviation training in 1939. O'Hare quickly distinguished himself as a talented pilot and was soon flying advanced aircraft.

During the Pacific War on February 20, 1942, O'Hare and his wingman were the only Navy fighters available when a wave of Japanese bombers attacked his aircraft carrier, the USS Lexington. O'Hare's squadmates shot down eight bombers, while he and his wingman, Marion "Duff" Dufilho, were held back in case of a second attack. A second formation of Japanese bombers was spotted, and O'Hare and Dufilho were the only pilots available to intercept. O'Hare's aircraft was hit by enemy fire, but he still managed to shoot down three bombers and damage three others before running out of ammunition. His actions likely saved the USS Lexington from serious damage or even loss.

On November 26, 1943, O'Hare went missing while on a night mission over the Gilbert Islands. His aircraft was never found, and he was declared dead a year later. In honour of his bravery and service, the Chicago-area Orchard Field Airport was renamed O'Hare International Airport on September 19, 1949, six years after his death.

O'Hare was the son of a lawyer who helped convict Al Capone of tax evasion

Chicago O'Hare International Airport is named after the late Lieutenant Commander Edward Henry "Butch" O'Hare, a highly decorated naval aviator who served in the United States Navy during World War II. O'Hare was the son of a lawyer, Edward Joseph O'Hare, who worked closely with the notorious gangster Al Capone before turning against him. Edward Joseph O'Hare provided incriminating evidence that helped convict Capone of tax evasion.

Butch O'Hare was born in St. Louis, Missouri, on March 13, 1914, and was of Irish and German descent. His parents divorced in 1927, and following the separation, he lived with his mother, Selma Anna, while his father moved to Chicago. O'Hare attended the Western Military Academy, graduating in 1932, and subsequently enrolled in the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, the following year. After graduating, he served on the battleship USS New Mexico from 1937 to 1939 and began his naval aviation training at the Naval Air Station Pensacola in Florida in 1939.

O'Hare quickly distinguished himself as a talented pilot, and he was soon promoted to learning aerobatics and aerial gunnery. He flew various aircraft during his training, including the N3N-1, Stearman NS-1, and Boeing P-12 biplanes, as well as the more advanced SNJ trainer. O'Hare's exceptional flying abilities were recognised by Lieutenant John Thach, who became his mentor. Thach emphasised gunnery training, and in 1941, O'Hare earned the "E" for gunnery excellence.

On February 20, 1942, O'Hare became the Navy's first fighter ace of the war. He single-handedly attacked a formation of nine medium bombers approaching his aircraft carrier, shooting down five enemy bombers despite having limited ammunition. For his bravery, he was awarded the Medal of Honor and became the first naval aviator recipient of this honour during World War II.

O'Hare continued to serve with distinction in the Navy, participating in battles near Marcus Island in August 1943 and Wake Island in October 1943, receiving further decorations for his actions. However, on the night of November 26, 1943, while leading the Navy's first-ever nighttime fighter attack launched from an aircraft carrier, O'Hare's plane was shot down, and he was reported missing in action. Despite extensive searches, neither he nor his aircraft was ever found.

In recognition of his bravery and service, the Chicago-area Orchard Field Airport was renamed O'Hare International Airport on September 19, 1949, six years after his disappearance. The airport code "ORD" was retained, honouring the airport's original name, Orchard Field.

O'Hare's father was killed, likely by Al Capone's gunmen, in 1939

O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, Illinois, is named after Edward Henry "Butch" O'Hare, a distinguished naval aviator who served in World War II. O'Hare was born in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1914, and his father, Edward Joseph O'Hare, was a lawyer who worked closely with Al Capone. However, during Capone's tax evasion trial in 1931 and 1932, O'Hare's father provided incriminating evidence that helped convict Capone.

In 1939, O'Hare Sr. was shot and killed, likely by Al Capone's gunmen, in retaliation for his role in the trial. This tragic event occurred just a week before Capone was released from incarceration. It is believed that O'Hare Sr.'s cooperation with the authorities may have been motivated by a desire to distance himself from Capone's criminal activities and set a positive example for his son, Butch.

Butch O'Hare went on to have a remarkable career in naval aviation. He graduated from the Western Military Academy in 1932 and subsequently enrolled in the United States Naval Academy. After serving on the battleship USS New Mexico, he began his flight training at Naval Air Station Pensacola in 1939. O'Hare quickly distinguished himself as a talented pilot, and during World War II, he became the Navy's first fighter ace of the war. On February 20, 1942, he single-handedly attacked a formation of nine bombers approaching his aircraft carrier and was credited with shooting down five enemy planes. For his bravery, he was awarded the Medal of Honor and became the Navy's first recipient of this honour during World War II.

Sadly, O'Hare went missing in action on November 26, 1943, during a nighttime mission over the Pacific. His aircraft was never found, and he was declared dead a year later. In honour of his bravery and service, the Chicago-area Orchard Field Airport was renamed O'Hare International Airport in 1949, six years after his death.

O'Hare was awarded the US Medal of Honor for his bravery during an air battle

Chicago O'Hare International Airport is named after the US Navy's first flying ace and Medal of Honor recipient, Lieutenant Commander Edward Henry "Butch" O'Hare. O'Hare was awarded the Medal of Honor for his bravery during an air battle in World War II.

On February 20, 1942, O'Hare and his wingman were the only Navy fighters available to defend the aircraft carrier Lexington against an incoming wave of Japanese bombers. Despite being heavily outnumbered, O'Hare repeatedly attacked the formation of nine bombers, shooting down five of them and damaging a sixth before they could release their bombs. His actions likely saved the carrier from serious damage or destruction.

For his "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in aerial combat", O'Hare was awarded the Medal of Honor, the US military's highest decoration for valour. He became the Navy's first aviator to receive this honour during World War II.

In 1949, six years after O'Hare's death in combat, Chicago's Orchard Field Airport was renamed O'Hare International Airport to honour his bravery and service. The airport displays a Grumman F4F-3 Wildcat, similar to the one flown by O'Hare during his Medal of Honor action.

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