Roberta Aguirre
Chicago O'Hare International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world. It is named after Navy Lt. Edward Butch O'Hare, a WWII fighter pilot and Medal of Honor recipient. O'Hare was born in St. Louis, Missouri, and grew up in Chicago. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland, and served two years on the battleship USS New Mexico. After completing flight training in 1939, he flew several aircraft, including the SBU Corsair and the TBD Devastator. On November 26, 1943, O'Hare led the U.S. Navy's first-ever nighttime fighter attack launched from an aircraft carrier against a group of Japanese torpedo bombers. Unfortunately, his plane was shot down, and he perished. To honour his bravery, Chicago's Orchard Depot Airport was renamed O'Hare International Airport on September 19, 1949.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Edward "Butch" O'Hare |
| Profession | WWII fighter pilot |
| Award | Medal of Honor |
| Year of renaming the airport | 1949 |
| Previous name of the airport | Orchard Field Airport |
| Current name of the airport | O'Hare International Airport |
| Location | Chicago, Illinois, United States |
| Aircraft on display | Grumman F4F-3 Wildcat |
| Airport's IATA code | ORD |
| Number of aircraft movements in 2019 | 919,704 |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Who was Butch O'Hare?
Butch O'Hare was a renowned American fighter pilot and naval aviator who became a decorated war hero during World War II. The O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, Illinois, is named in his honor. Edward Henry "Butch" O'Hare was born on March 13, 1914, in St. Louis, Missouri, to Edward Joseph O'Hare and Selma Anna Lauth. His father, Edward Joseph O'Hare, was a lawyer who gained notoriety for his work in organized crime cases and later became a prominent figure in Chicago's underworld.
Butch O'Hare joined the United States Navy in 1930 and was appointed to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, in 1933. He excelled in sports, particularly boxing, and graduated in 1937. O'Hare then served on the USS New Mexico (BB-40) as a gunnery officer before transferring to naval aviation in 1939. He received his aviator wings in 1940 and joined Fighter Squadron Three (VF-3) on the USS Enterprise (CV-6). Lieutenant O'Hare rose to prominence on February 20, 1942, when he became the first naval aviator to win the Medal of Honor in World War II. During a mission to deliver aircraft to the USS Lexington (CV-2), O'Hare encountered a wave of Japanese bombers attacking the carrier. Despite being alone and outnumbered, he bravely flew his Grumman F4F Wildcat into the formation of enemy planes, aggressively attacking and downing several bombers. His courageous action turned the tide of the battle and saved the USS Lexington from serious damage.
Butch O'Hare's heroic deeds became widely publicized, and he returned home to a hero's welcome. On June 26, 1942, the Chicago Municipal Airport was renamed Orchard Depot Airport. Later, on September 19, 1949, it was renamed again to O'Hare International Airport to honor the brave pilot. O'Hare returned to active duty in the Pacific theater after his Medal of Honor award. He participated in numerous combat missions and was later assigned to the USS Enterprise as the executive officer of a night fighter squadron. Butch O'Hare was killed in action on November 26, 1943, at the age of 29, when his plane disappeared during a nighttime mission off the coast of Tarawa Atoll in the Gilbert Islands. His death was a significant loss for the Navy and the country, and he was posthumously promoted to lieutenant commander.
Butch O'Hare's legacy extends beyond his heroic actions in World War II. The Medal of Honor, which he received for his bravery, set a standard for naval aviation valor. Additionally, the naming of O'Hare International Airport in Chicago ensures that his memory and contributions are forever etched in history. O'Hare's story continues to inspire and remind people of the bravery and sacrifice of those who served during World War II.
Antalya Airport Taxi Services: Availability and Convenience
You may want to see also
Explore related products
O'Hare's heroic actions
O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, Illinois, is named after war hero Edward "Butch" O'Hare. O'Hare was a celebrated World War II fighter pilot and the Navy's first Medal of Honor recipient during that war.
On February 20, 1942, Butch O'Hare displayed his heroism when he and his wingman realized they were "the only American fighters positioned to attack" a group of Japanese bombers approaching the USS Lexington. Despite being low on fuel, O'Hare and his wingman fired their machine guns at the enemy aircraft, successfully shooting down two Japanese planes and dispersing the rest. For this act of bravery, O'Hare received the Medal of Honor, with President Roosevelt personally congratulating him.
O'Hare's final heroic action took place on November 26, 1943, when he led the U.S. Navy's first-ever nighttime fighter attack launched from an aircraft carrier. During this mission, O'Hare's aircraft was shot down by a Japanese bomber, and neither his plane nor his body was ever found.
In recognition of his bravery and service, Chicago's Orchard Depot Airport was renamed O'Hare International Airport on September 19, 1949. The airport displays a Grumman F4F-3 Wildcat, similar to the one flown by O'Hare during his Medal of Honor action. O'Hare International Airport is a fitting tribute to a true American war hero.
Airport Time Capsule: Apple's Backup and Router Solution
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Why rename Orchard Field Airport?
O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, Illinois, is named after war hero Edward "Butch" O'Hare. O'Hare was a World War II fighter pilot and the Navy's first Medal of Honor recipient. On February 20, 1942, O'Hare shot down six Japanese bombers, performing one of the most daring single actions in the history of combat aviation.
Previously, the airport was known as Orchard Field Airport, a name derived from its location in the Orchard Place community. The City of Chicago realized the need for more airport capacity soon after the opening of Chicago Municipal Airport in 1926. The site was initially a manufacturing plant for Douglas C-54 Skymasters during World War II, and the airfield was known as Douglas Airport.
On September 19, 1949, Colonel Robert R. McCormick, publisher of the Chicago Tribune, suggested renaming the airport to honor O'Hare's bravery. The airport was officially rechristened O'Hare International Airport, six years after O'Hare's death.
Today, O'Hare International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world, known for its innovative design and direct highway access to the terminal. It offers non-stop flights to 249 destinations and is considered the most connected airport in the US. The airport continues to undergo expansion projects, adding new terminals, concourses, and ramp space to accommodate increasing passenger traffic and larger aircraft.
Vero Beach Airport: A Guide to Flying In and Out
You may want to see also
Explore related products
O'Hare's personal connections to Chicago
O'Hare Airport in Chicago is named after Navy Lt. Edward "Butch" O'Hare, a World War II fighter pilot and recipient of the Medal of Honor. O'Hare was born in St. Louis, Missouri, but grew up in Chicago with his father, "Easy Eddie" O'Hare, a lawyer with ties to Al Capone.
In the 1930s, Easy Eddie provided incriminating evidence that helped convict and incarcerate Capone for tax evasion. Two months before Capone was released from Alcatraz, Easy Eddie was killed, most likely by Capone's gunmen. Following his father's death, Butch O'Hare entered the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland, in 1933. He graduated and was commissioned as an ensign in 1937, serving two years on the battleship USS New Mexico before starting flight training in 1939.
O'Hare became a celebrated war hero for his bravery and daring combat missions during World War II. On February 20, 1942, he shot down several Japanese bombers while his fuel tank was empty, displaying extraordinary heroism and fearless leadership. For this action, he received the Navy Cross and the Medal of Honor, becoming the Navy's first recipient of this award during World War II.
On November 26, 1943, O'Hare led the U.S. Navy's first-ever nighttime fighter attack launched from an aircraft carrier. During this mission, his plane was shot down by a Japanese bomber, and he perished in the line of duty.
In recognition of his valor and heroism, the Chicago-area Orchard Field Airport was renamed O'Hare International Airport on September 19, 1949. The idea to rename the airport was proposed by Colonel Robert R. McCormick, publisher of the Chicago Tribune, as a tribute to O'Hare's bravery. Today, O'Hare International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world, serving as a hub for American Airlines and United Airlines.
Explore Seattle Airport: Shops, Restaurants, and More!
You may want to see also
Explore related products
O'Hare Airport's design and infrastructure
Chicago O'Hare International Airport (IATA: ORD, ICAO: KORD, FAA LID: ORD) is the primary international airport serving Chicago, Illinois, United States. It is located on the city's Northwest Side, approximately 17 miles (27 km) northwest of the Loop business district. O'Hare is considered the most connected airport in the US and the 5th most connected airport in the world. It is also the 4th busiest airport and 16th largest airport in the world.
O'Hare Airport was the first major airport planned after World War II. Its innovative design pioneered concepts such as concourses, direct highway access to the terminal, jet bridges, and underground refuelling systems. The airport became famous during the jet age, holding the distinction as the world's busiest airport by passenger traffic from 1963 to 1998.
The airport has undergone several modernisation and expansion projects over the years, including the O'Hare Modernization Program (OMP), which aims to reconfigure the airfield to feature six parallel runways, allowing more landings and takeoffs, and reducing delays. The program has already successfully completed the construction of three new runway components, the reconstruction of one runway, and the construction of two air traffic control towers and other airside facilities.
In 2018, the City of Chicago approved a $8.5 billion, 30-year modernisation plan called the O'Hare 21 Plan, which aims to nearly double terminal space, add 22 new gates, and increase passenger capacity by 25% to 100 million passengers by 2026.
Several architectural firms have been involved in the design and expansion of O'Hare Airport. In 2019, five teams of top architects competed for a $8.5 billion project to redesign the airport's ageing Terminal 2. The proposed designs included a soaring terminal with a curving, skylit roof, a Y-shaped structure with warm, wooden tones, and a grandiose arrowhead-shaped structure.
O'Hare Airport has a significant impact on the region's economy and is an important hub for international and domestic travel, with non-stop flights to 249 destinations worldwide as of Summer 2024.
Airport Scanners: Easy and Quick Guide to Using Them
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
O'Hare Airport is named after war hero Edward 'Butch' O'Hare.
Edward 'Butch' O'Hare was a WWII fighter pilot and the Navy's first Medal of Honour recipient.
On February 20, 1942, Butch O'Hare shot down six Japanese bombers in WWII.
On November 26, 1943, Butch O'Hare led the U.S. Navy's first-ever nighttime fighter attack launched from an aircraft carrier. During this encounter with a group of Japanese torpedo bombers, O'Hare's Grumman F6F Hellcat was shot down. His aircraft was never found.
On September 19, 1949, Chicago's Orchard Field Airport was renamed O'Hare International Airport.
