Jazmin Li
Many airports around the world are named after pilots who have made significant contributions to aviation and military history. For instance, O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, Illinois, is named after Edward Butch O'Hare, a World War II naval pilot who received the Medal of Honor for his bravery in combat. Similarly, the former Eddie Rickenbacker Airport in Columbus, Ohio, was named after Eddie Rickenbacker, an American fighter pilot and World War I ace. Lindbergh Field in San Diego honors Charles Lindbergh, a famous pilot who served in the Pacific Theatre during World War II. These airports stand as enduring tributes to the bravery and skill of these pioneering aviators.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of Airport | O'Hare International Airport |
| Location | Chicago, Illinois |
| Name of Pilot | Edward "Butch" O'Hare |
| Rank | Lieutenant Commander |
| Service | US Navy |
| Conflict | World War II |
| Achievements | Shot down several enemy planes, awarded the Medal of Honor for bravery |
| Year Airport Named | 1949 |
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What You'll Learn
- O'Hare International Airport, Chicago: Named after World War II pilot, Edward Butch O'Hare
- Eddie Rickenbacker Airport: Named after World War I fighter pilot, Eddie Rickenbacker
- Lindbergh Field, San Diego: Named after famous pilot, Charles Lindbergh
- Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, Austin: Named after World War II pilot, John Bergstrom
- Logan International Airport, Boston: Named after Major General, Edward Lawrence Logan
O'Hare International Airport, Chicago: Named after World War II pilot, Edward Butch O'Hare
O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, Illinois, is named after World War II pilot, Lieutenant Commander Edward Henry "Butch" O'Hare. Born in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1914, Butch O'Hare was an American naval aviator who became the Navy's first fighter ace of World War II. On February 20, 1942, O'Hare single-handedly attacked a formation of nine medium bombers approaching his aircraft carrier. Despite having limited ammunition, he shot down five enemy bombers and severely damaged a sixth, saving his carrier from serious damage. For his bravery and skill, O'Hare was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor and became the Navy's first flying ace.
O'Hare's father, Edward Joseph O'Hare, was a lawyer who worked with Al Capone before turning against him and helping to convict the gangster of tax evasion. The younger O'Hare graduated from the Western Military Academy in 1932 and then attended the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland, graduating in 1937. He began flight training in 1939 and soon became a skilled pilot and marksman. During World War II, O'Hare distinguished himself as a fighter pilot, displaying courage and heroism in aerial combat.
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 Grumman F6F Hellcat was shot down by a group of Japanese torpedo bombers. Despite search efforts, O'Hare's aircraft was never found, and he was presumed dead. In recognition of his service and sacrifice, the Chicago-area Orchard Field Airport was renamed O'Hare International Airport in 1949, six years after his death.
The airport, which sees millions of passengers pass through each year, stands as a lasting tribute to the bravery and skill of Lieutenant Commander Edward "Butch" O'Hare, a true American hero. His story serves as a reminder that airports are not just transportation hubs but can also be places of remembrance and honour.
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Eddie Rickenbacker Airport: Named after World War I fighter pilot, Eddie Rickenbacker
Rickenbacker International Airport (IATA: LCK, ICAO: KLCK, FAA LID: LCK) is a civil-military airport located 10 miles (16 km) south of downtown Columbus, near Lockbourne in southern Franklin County, Ohio, United States. The airport is named after Eddie Rickenbacker, a fighter pilot and native of Columbus, Ohio. Rickenbacker was the leading American fighter pilot of World War I and achieved the status of flying ace. During the Cold War, the facility was renamed from Lockbourne Air Force Base to Rickenbacker Air Force Base by the Department of the Air Force to honour Rickenbacker.
Rickenbacker International Airport is managed by the Columbus Regional Airport Authority, which also operates John Glenn Columbus International Airport and Bolton Field. The airport primarily serves as a cargo hub for Columbus, but it has increasingly accommodated passenger flights and charter carriers since 2012. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Rickenbacker experienced a surge in demand for cargo aviation, playing a crucial role in transporting emergency protective equipment. In 2021, it was recognised as the "Airport of the Year" by the Ohio Aviation Association.
The airport supports a diverse range of aircraft, from corporate and general aviation to commercial, air freight, and military operations. Notably, it can accommodate the world's largest aircraft. The airport is home to the Ohio Air National Guard's 121st Air Refueling Wing and the Army Aviation Support Facility. Additionally, logistics companies, such as Morrison Express, have established a presence at the airport to capitalise on its logistical advantages.
Rickenbacker International Airport has continuously invested in improvements and upgrades to enhance its efficiency and meet air quality standards. In 2016, a new Air Traffic Control tower was inaugurated, and a $565,000 improvement project was launched in 2018 to modernise jetways and ground power units. The airport also upgraded its animal transport facility, earning recognition from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for its capabilities in exporting livestock.
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Lindbergh Field, San Diego: Named after famous pilot, Charles Lindbergh
Several airports around the world are named after famous pilots and war heroes. One such airport is Lindbergh Field in San Diego, California. The airport was named after the famous pilot Charles Lindbergh, who fought in the Pacific Theatre during World War II.
Lindbergh is known for spending a lot of time in San Diego overseeing the construction of his airplane, "The Spirit of St. Louis", by Ryan Aircraft. After the construction was completed, Lindbergh made a series of stops across the country en route to New York, including St. Louis, where the donors who financed his plane lived. On May 21, 1927, the 25-year-old Lindbergh completed the first solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean, becoming an international celebrity.
Despite his achievements in aviation, Lindbergh's legacy is controversial due to his interest in "eugenics," a pseudo-science that advocated for the improvement of the human race by culling "defective" individuals based on mental, physical, or racial characteristics. As a result, the San Diego International Airport board voted to rename the airport, reflecting ambitions for San Diego to become a destination for international travellers.
However, the name "Lindbergh Field" still appears in some contexts, such as a service road named "Lindbergh Field Way" and in historical artworks glorifying Lindbergh's aviation achievements. The decision to rename the airport stirred up resentment among aviation enthusiasts who believe that Lindbergh's place in aviation history should be preserved despite his controversial political and racial views.
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Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, Austin: Named after World War II pilot, John Bergstrom
The Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Austin, Texas, is named after Captain John August Earl Bergstrom, a World War II pilot. Captain Bergstrom was a reservist in the 19th Bombardment Group, which saw a lot of action in the Pacific during the war. He was killed in 1941 at Clark Field in the Philippines and was the first Austinite killed in World War II.
The history of the airport began in the late 1920s when the Austin City Council requested that the Army Corps at Kelly Field in San Antonio send a pilot to identify a suitable site for a municipal airport. The airport, named Robert Mueller Municipal Airport, was dedicated in 1930 and expanded in 1983. However, by the 1970s, it became clear that Austin was outgrowing this airport.
In 1976, the city submitted a proposal to the United States Air Force for joint use of Bergstrom Air Force Base, but it was rejected as being too disruptive to their operations. In 1987, voters approved a referendum designating a site near Manor for a new airport, but these plans were abandoned in 1991 when the Base Realignment and Closure Commission selected Bergstrom for closure. The city council then decided to move the airport to the Bergstrom site, and construction began in 1994.
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport opened to the public on May 23, 1999, with one of the nation's longest commercial runways, measuring 12,250 feet. The airport features the Barbara Jordan passenger terminal, named after the late Barbara Jordan, and a statue of her resides in the airport. The airport has undergone expansions since its opening, including the addition of new gates and taxiways, and has established partnerships with airlines for nonstop flights to destinations across the country.
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Logan International Airport, Boston: Named after Major General, Edward Lawrence Logan
Logan International Airport in Boston is named after Major General Edward Lawrence Logan, a 20th-century war hero and native of Boston. Logan was a lawyer, judge, military officer, and politician. He enlisted in the Massachusetts 9th Infantry during the Spanish-American War while still a student. After the war, he returned to Boston and successfully ran for a seat on the Boston Common Council in 1899. He later won elections to the Massachusetts State Legislature as a representative and then as a state senator. Logan also served as an associate justice of the Municipal Court for the South Boston District.
In addition to his political career, Logan had a distinguished military career. He rose to the rank of Major General following World War I and was given command of the 26th Infantry Division of the United States Army. He played a crucial role in the post-World War I reorganization of that unit, as well as the Massachusetts National Guard. Logan was also an advocate for veterans' rights and served as the state commander of the American Legion and president of the National Guard Association of the United States. He retired from the Guard in 1938 and was promoted to lieutenant general in recognition of his decades of service.
Logan International Airport, located in East Boston, is the largest airport in Massachusetts and the New England region in terms of passenger volume and cargo handling. It is also the busiest airport in the Northeastern United States outside the New York metropolitan area, serving over 42 million passengers in 2019. The airport has six runways and four passenger terminals and employs approximately 16,000 people. It was opened in 1923 and was originally called Boston Airport/Jeffrey Field. In 1943, the state of Massachusetts officially renamed the airport after Major General Edward Lawrence Logan to honour his contributions to the state and the nation.
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Frequently asked questions
O'Hare International Airport in Chicago is named after Lieutenant Commander Edward "Butch" O'Hare, a World War II pilot who shot down several enemy planes.
Lindbergh Field in San Diego is named after Charles Lindbergh, who fought bravely in the Pacific Theatre during World War II.
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Austin, Texas, is named after Captain John August Earl Bergstrom, a pilot who was part of the 19th Bombardment Group that saw a lot of action in the Pacific during World War II.
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