Al Capone and World War II Heroes
A friend shared this special story with me years ago, and now I am passing on to you. Wishing you and your family a special Memorial Day holiday weekend ahead!
Al Capone was notorious for bringing Chicago bootlegged booze, prostitution and murder. Capone had a lawyer nicknamed "Easy Eddie." Eddie's skill at legal maneuvering kept Al out of jail for a long time. To show his appreciation, Capone paid him very well. Eddie and his family occupied a fenced-in mansion that was so large it filled an entire city block!
Easy Eddie lived the high life of the Chicago mob and gave little consideration to the atrocities that went on around him. He did have one soft spot: a son he loved dearly. Despite his involvement with crime, Eddie tried to teach his son right from wrong, wanting him to grow up to be a better man than he was.
One day, Easy Eddie reached a difficult decision. He wanted to rectify wrongs he had done, so he went to the authorities and told the truth about Al Capone. In so doing, he had to testify against Capone. He knew the cost would be great. Within the year, Eddie's life ended in a blaze of gunfire on a Chicago street. But in his eyes, he had given his son the greatest gift he had to offer, at the greatest price he could ever pay.
There is more to the story…
World War II produced many heroes, including Butch O'Hare, a fighter pilot assigned to an aircraft carrier in the South Pacific. His entire squadron was sent on a mission. After he was airborne, he 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, so his flight leader told him to return to the carrier. Reluctantly, he headed back.
As he was returning, he saw a squadron of Japanese aircraft speeding its way toward the aircraft carrier. With the American fighters gone on a sortie, the carrier was defenseless. Laying aside all thoughts of personal safety, Butch dove into the formation of Japanese planes. He wove in and out of the now broken formation and kept firing until all his ammunition was spent.
Undaunted, he continued the assault. He dove at the planes in hopes of damaging as many as possible. Finally, the exasperated Japanese squadron took off in another direction. Deeply relieved, Butch and his tattered plane limped back to the carrier. The film from the gun camera mounted on his plane told the tale. He had, in fact, destroyed five enemy aircraft. Butch became the Navy's first Ace of WWII and the first Naval Aviator to win the Medal of Honor.
A year later Butch was killed in aerial combat at the age of 29. His hometown would not allow the memory of this WWII hero to fade, and today, O'Hare airport in Chicago is named in tribute to the courage of this great man.
SO WHAT DO THESE TWO STORIES HAVE TO DO WITH EACH OTHER?
Butch O'Hare was Easy Eddie's son.
Quote of the Day
There is a certificate that hangs in my home office that reads…
“In grateful memory of Wayland Eugene Causey who died in the service of his country at Port Chicago, California. 17 July 1944. He stands in the broken lines of patriots who have dared to die that freedom might live, and grow, and increase its blessings. Freedom lives, and through it, he lives – in a way that humbles the undertakings of most men. Signed Franklin Roosevelt, President of the United States.
I never knew my grandfather but he was a hero too. I am thankful to have this as a reminder of the sacrifice he made and so many other brave men and women serving our country.
God bless our military and this great country on this Memorial Day.
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