DOCSLIB.ORG

What's in a Name?

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
What's in a Name? What’s in a name? Tim Maguire recently flew into Chicago, something that turned his blood cold. his tattered fighter limped back to USA, landing in O’Hare A squadron of Japanese bombers the carrier. Upon arrival he reported I International Airport. were speeding towards the American in and related the event surrounding fleet. The American fighters had all his return. The film from the camera Between terminal 1 and 2 is a memo- left on the mission and the fleet carrier mounted on his plane told the tale. It rial to Lieutenant Commander Butch was left pretty much defenceless. showed the extent of Butch’s daring O’Hare, after whom the airport was attempt to protect his fleet. He had Laying aside all thoughts of personal named. Alongside his statue is a destroyed five enemy bombers. For safety, he plunged into the formation medal and a plaque, acknowledging His bravery he was awarded the of Japanese planes. Wing-mount- him as the first Naval Aviator to win medal, and his name lives on to ed 50 calibre guns blazed as he the Congressional Medal of Honour. this day, with Chicago’s Interna- charged in, attacking one surprised tional Airport named after him. During the Second World War he enemy plane and then another. was a fighter pilot assigned to the Butch weaved in and out of the now Another name synonymous with the South Pacific. On February 20, 1942, broken formation and fired at as city of Chicago is Al Capone, a noto- Butch O’Hare’s squadron was sent many planes as possible until finally rious Mafia gangster. At that time, on a mission. After taking off and all his ammunition had been used up. Al Capone virtually owned the city. flying some distance, he looked at Not to be stopped, he continued the Capone wasn’t famous for anything his control panel and realised that assault. He dove at the planes, trying heroic. He was, however, notorious his plane had never been refuelled. to at least clip off a wing or tail, in for his involvement in illegal alcohol He did not have enough fuel to hopes of damaging as many enemy trade, prostitution and murder. complete the mission and get back planes as possible and rendering Easy Eddie was Capone’s lawyer to his ship. After radioing through his them unfit to fly. He was desperate to and for good reason. He was excel- predicament, his flight leader told do anything he could to keep them lent at what he did and kept Big Al him to return to the aircraft carrier. from reaching the American ships. out of jail for many years. Capone Reluctantly he dropped out of forma- Eventually the exasperated Japanese showed his appreciation by paying tion and headed back towards had had enough of the crazy pilot him huge sums of money and perks the fleet. As he was returning to the and took off in another direction. like a family mansion that took up aircraft carrier Lexington, he saw Deeply relieved, Butch O’Hare and an entire city block. Yes, Eddie 18 - Face to Face | www.face2face.org.za lived the life of the Chicago mob Wear the name proudly How do we treat the title ‘Christian?’ and gave little consideration to Do we act as though all it means the evil that went on around him. Each of us carried the dirty name of is that we will go into his kingdom ‘Sinner’, and God gave his life for us when we die, but it has nothing to Sacrificed – a good name so that we too might cast aside the do with how we live? Did you know albatross around our neck. We are Eddie had a son that he loved dear- that according to the 2001 Census, God’s people, his dearly beloved ly. He saw to it that his young son almost 80% of SA citizens claim to be children and bear his name now. had the best of everything. Noth- Christian? But how many of them act We read in Acts 11:26 that the disci- ing was withheld, and, despite his like Christians? To a large number, ples were called Christians first at involvement with organized crime, to be a Christian – to bear the name Antioch. The term “Christian” means Eddie even tried to teach him right of Christ – means no more than “Christ-ones” or ‘little Christs’ As from wrong, and encouraged him being a Lions or Chiefs supporter! Christians, we all carry around the to rise above his own sordid life. He name of Christ wherever we go. If it meant to us what it was supposed wanted him to be a better man than to, then the divorce rate among he was. Yet, with all his wealth and 1 Peter 2:9-12: “But you are a chosen Christians wouldn’t be virtually as influence, there was something Eddie people, a royal priesthood, a holy high as the rest of the population. couldn’t give his son. Something nation, God’s special possession, Christians wouldn’t cheat on their Eddie had sacrificed to the Capone that you may declare the praises of taxes if we took seriously the name mob which he could not pass on to him who called you out of darkness we bear. Christians wouldn’t allow his well loved son: a good name. into his wonderful light. Once you pornography into their homes through were not a people, but now you One day, Easy Eddie reached a diffi- the internet or the TV if we real- are the people of God; once you cult decision. Offering his son a good ized the shame that brings on the had not received mercy, but now name was far more important than name of God. Christians wouldn’t you have received mercy. Dear all the riches he could pour out on harbour an unforgiving attitude and friends, I urge you, as foreigners and him. He had to rectify all the wrong bitterness toward one another if they exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, he had done. He would go to the truly knew that their forgiveness and which wage war against your soul. authorities and tell the truth about reconciliation would bring glory to Live such good lives among the ‘Scar-face’ Al Capone. He would God. Do we sometimes shame the pagans that, though they accuse try to clean up his tarnished name name of God by the way we live?! you of doing wrong, they may and offer his son some semblance see your good deeds and glori- 1 Corinthians 10:31: “So whether of integrity. To do this he had to testi- fy God on the day he visits us.” you eat or drink or whatever you fy against The Mob, and he knew do, do it all for the glory of God.” that the cost would be great. We are the people of God. Wherever we go and whatever we do reflects If we pray “Our Father who art in On Wednesday, November 8, 1939, back on God and how the world Heaven, hallowed be thy name...” after testifying, Easy Eddie was shot thinks of him. When those people shouldn’t we at least be doing all and killed. He was 46 years old, at Antioch were called Christians, we can to bring that glory to him? and had given his son the greatest they wore the name proudly. The gift he had to offer at the great- Your name is no longer ‘Sinner’, but reason they were called ‘Christians’ est price he would ever pay. ‘Christian’, son or daughter of the is because they lived like Christ – they Most High God. Your Father gave I know what you’re probably think- were different. It was an honour and it to you, and he gave all he had ing; what do these two stories a responsibility and certainly not so you could carry his name. In the have to do with one another? something which was taken lightly. same way that Butch O’Hare carried One reason it wasn’t taken lightly, was his name, do the same and make Well, you see, Easy Eddie’s real that at various times in the last two name was Edward Joseph your Daddy proud, giving all the thousand years, many had to sacri- Glory and honour back to him. O’Hare, Butch O’Hare’s father. fice their lives for bearing that name. Butch O’Hare USS Lexington Al Capone Face to Face | www.face2face.org.za - 19 .
Load more

Recommended publications
  • LANGLEY, LEX and SARA by Scot Macdonald ‘It Is the Navy's Mission to Protect Our Coasts, Our Seaborne Commerce, and Far-Flung Possessions
    ANCHORED IN SAN DIEGO harbor January 1933, U.S. Navy’s first the recent past. At right is USS Constitution. “Old Ironsides” was aircraft carrier, USS Langley, provides a startlinq contrast against then on her last major voyage, a tour of important U.S. seaports. Evolution of Aircraft Carriers LANGLEY, LEX AND SARA By Scot MacDonald ‘It is the Navy's mission to protect our coasts, our seaborne commerce, and far-flung possessions. Once war is forced upon us we must take the offensive to win it. The Navy is the first line of offense, and Naval Aviation as an advance guard of this line must deliver the brunt of the attack. Naval Aviation cannot take the offensive from shore; it must go to sea on the back of the fleet. I do not believe aircraft on shore can ward off a bombing attack launched, perhaps, from carriers by night from an unknown point for an unknown objective. On the other hand, a fleet with adequate aviation of its own can drive the carriers back out of effective range. Both for offense and defense the fleet and Naval Aviation are one and inseparable.’ —R.Adm. William A. Moffett, USN, October 1925, in the U.S. Naval Institute Proccedings NE DAY," said Capt. Thomas T. Jason. Although some conservative Returning to America, he immedi- O Craven, who had relieved Capt. seniors frowned on the plan, in time ately studied the problems of strength- Noble E. Irwin as Director of Naval and with the Secretary of the ening the Navy’s complement of pilots Aviation in May 1919, "one day, when Navy’s approval, we persuaded Con- and support personnel, obtaining "ap- someone suggested that shoveling coal gressional committees of the wisdom paratus suitable for their use,” and was becoming unpopular, we proceeded of converting one ship, the Jupiter, developing tactics.
    [Show full text]
  • Wreckage of WWII Aircraft Carrier USS Lexington Found Off Australia 6 March 2018
    Wreckage of WWII aircraft carrier USS Lexington found off Australia 6 March 2018 "kills." The search team also released pictures and video of parts of the ship, including a name-plate, and anti-aircraft guns covered in decades of slime. The USS Lexington and another US aircraft carrier, the USS Yorktown, fought against three Japanese aircraft carriers from May 4-8, 1942 in the Battle of the Coral Sea, the first ever between carriers. The badly damaged Lexington, nicknamed "Lady Lex," was deliberately sunk by another US warship at the conclusion of the battle. Handout photo obtained March 5, 2018 courtesy of Microsoft co-founder Paul G. Allen showing wreckage from the USS Lexington aircraft carrier which sank during World War II, and has been found in the Coral Sea Wreckage from the USS Lexington, a US aircraft carrier which sank during World War II, has been discovered in the Coral Sea, a search team led by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen announced Monday. The wreckage was found Sunday by the team's research vessel, the R/V Petrel, some 3,000 meters (two miles) below the surface more than Handout photo obtained March 5, 2018 courtesy of 500 miles (800 kilometers) off the eastern coast of Microsoft co-founder Paul G. Allen showing wreckage Australia. from the USS Lexington aircraft carrier which sank during World War II, and has been found in the Coral Sea The search team released pictures and video of the Lexington, one of the first ever US aircraft carriers, and some of the planes which went down with the ship.
    [Show full text]
  • D:\AN12034\Wholechapters\AN Chaps PDF.Vp
    CHAPTER 1 MISSION AND HISTORY OF NAVAL AVIATION INTRODUCTION in maintaining command of the seas. Accomplishing this task takes five basic operations: Today's naval aircraft have come a long way from the Wright Brothers' flying machine. These modern 1. Eyes and ears of the fleet. Naval aviation has and complex aircraft require a maintenance team that is over-the-horizon surveillance equipment that provides far superior to those of the past. You have now joined vital information to our task force operation. this proud team. 2. Protection against submarine attack. Anti- You, the Airman Apprentice, will get a basic submarine warfare operations go on continuously for introduction to naval aviation from this training the task force and along our country's shoreline. This manual. In the Airman manual, you will learn about the type of mission includes hunter/killer operations to be history and organization of naval aviation; the design of sure of task force protection and to keep our coastal an aircraft, its systems, line operations, and support waterways safe. equipment requirements; and aviation safety, rescue, 3. Aid and support operations during amphibious crash, and fire fighting. landings. From the beginning to the end of the In this chapter, you will read about some of the operations, support occurs with a variety of firepower. historic events of naval aviation. Also, you will be Providing air cover and support is an important introduced to the Airman rate and different aviation function of naval aviation in modern, technical warfare. ratings in the Navy. You will find out about your duties 4.
    [Show full text]
  • Where Are the Carriers? U.S
    WHERE ARE THE CARRIERS? U.S. National Strategy FRONT COVER and the Choices Ahead JOHN F. LEHMAN with Steven Wills This page was left blank for printing purposes WHERE ARE THE CARRIERS? U.S. National Strategy and the Choices Ahead This page was left blank for printing purposes WHERE ARE THE CARRIERS? U.S. National Strategy and the Choices Ahead JOHN LEHMAN, with Steven Wills Published by the Foreign Policy Research Institute 1528 Walnut Street, Suite 610, Philadelphia, PA 19102 www.fpri.org Copyright©2021 Foreign Policy Research Institute All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including inofmration storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the publisher, except by a reviewer who may quote passages in a review. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Names: Lehman, John, author. | Wills, Steven, author Title: Where are the Carriers? U.S. National Strategy and the Choices Ahead Identifiers: ISBN 978-0-910191-16-6 (electronic) | ISBN 978-0-910191-17-3 (print) Subjects: Political Science Printed by Creative Print Group Cover Design: Natalia Kopytnik Cover Image: United States Navy CONTENTS Executive Summary i 1. Introduction 1 2. Land-based Airpower as a Substitute for Sea-Based 24 Power 3. Can Carriers Survive in the Modern Age? 48 4. Four Options for Carrier Size and Capability 65 5. Nuclear vs. Conventional Propulsion 88 6. How Many Carriers? At What Cost? 98 7. Unmanned Carrier Aircraft: Missions and Myths 116 8. Conclusions 131 Executive summary s the United States seeks to prepare for a potential conflict withA a peer-level adversary, the debate around the utility of the aircraft carrier—and its role in such a contingency—once again has resurfaced.
    [Show full text]
  • Consequences of the Attack on Pearl Harbor from Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia Jump to Navigationjump to Search
    Consequences of the attack on Pearl Harbor From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jump to navigationJump to search Hideki Tojo, Japanese Prime Minister at the time of the attack Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor took place on December 7, 1941. The U.S. military suffered 18 ships damaged or sunk, and 2,400 people were killed. Its most significant consequence was the entrance of the United States into World War II. The US had previously been neutral but subsequently entered the Pacific War, the Battle of the Atlantic and the European theatre of war. Following the attack, the US interned 120,000 Japanese Americans, 11,000 German Americans, and 3,000 Italian Americans. Contents 1American public opinion prior to the attack 2American response 3Japanese views 4Germany and Italy declare war 5British reaction 6Canadian response 7Investigations and blame 8Rise of anti-Japanese sentiment and historical significance 9Perception of the attack today o 9.1Revisionism controversies 10Analysis o 10.1Tactical implications . 10.1.1Battleships . 10.1.2Carriers . 10.1.3Shore installations . 10.1.4Charts o 10.2Strategic implications 11See also 12Notes 13External links American public opinion prior to the attack[edit] From the outbreak of World War II on September 1, 1939 to December 8, 1941, the United States was officially neutral, as it was bound by the Neutrality Acts not to get involved in the conflicts raging in Europe and Asia. Prior to the attack on Pearl Harbor, public opinion in the United States had not been unanimous. When polled in January
    [Show full text]
  • Military Experimentation Andrew F
    Naval War College Review Volume 54 Article 6 Number 1 Winter 2001 Military Experimentation Andrew F. Krepinevich Jr. Follow this and additional works at: https://digital-commons.usnwc.edu/nwc-review Recommended Citation Krepinevich, Andrew F. Jr. (2001) "Military Experimentation," Naval War College Review: Vol. 54 : No. 1 , Article 6. Available at: https://digital-commons.usnwc.edu/nwc-review/vol54/iss1/6 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Journals at U.S. Naval War College Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Naval War College Review by an authorized editor of U.S. Naval War College Digital Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Krepinevich: Military Experimentation MILITARY EXPERIMENTATION Time to Get Serious Andrew F. Krepinevich, Jr. n January 1929, the U.S. Navy undertook a major exercise known as Fleet IProblem IX, part of a series of exercises conducted by the service between the two world wars. Despite the isolationist mood of America at the time, com- pounded by tight budgets and arms control constraints, the Navy persisted in conducting these exercises as, among other things, a means for determining the influence upon sea power of continuing rapid advances in aviation technology.1 Fleet Problem IX took place off the coast of Panama. Present for the first time in these fleet problems were two ships of radically new design—the air- craft carriers USS Lexington (CV 2) and USS Saratoga (CV 3). During the ex- ercise, Vice Admiral William V. Pratt, commanding the attacking force, authorized Rear Admiral Joseph Reeves, commanding the Saratoga and a light cruiser, to execute a high-speed run toward the Dr.
    [Show full text]
  • Index to Reminiscences of Admiral Alfred M. Pride US Navy
    Index to Reminiscences of Admiral Alfred M. Pride U.S. Navy (Retired) Accidents--Aviation Problems with early aircraft carrier arresting gear in the 1920s, pp. 30-32; Pride injured seriously when he crashed an X03U-6 in the Potomac River in 1934, 97-99, 105, 107, 167-168; barrier crash which killed a gun crew on board the light carrier Belleau Wood (CVL-24) in World War II, p. 134; crash of an H-boat seaplane in the Connecticut River in 1919, pp. 169-171 Aeronautical Board Pride's service in the 1930s with this U.S. Government agency which established standard aviation specifications and licensed equipment for foreign sales, pp. 92-96 Aeronautics, Bureau of Supervision of naval aviation development work in the late 1920s, pp. 76-77, 81-82; drew up specifications for Navy planes and worked with aircraft manufacturers in the 1930s, pp. 103-104, 108-112, 192-193; Pride's tenure as chief of the bureau from 1947 to 1951, pp. 161-162, 171- 189, 193-205; merger with the Bureau of Ordnance in 1959, pp. 177-179; law changed in the late 1940s so the bureau reported to OpNav rather than SecNav, p. 186 Air Corps, U.S. Army Trained Navy pilots to fly land planes soon after World War I, pp. 17-18, 163; represented on national Aeronautical Board in the 1930s, pp. 94-95; contact with the Navy's Bureau of Aeronautics in the 1930s, pp. 110- 111; Reuben Fleet as contracting officer for shortly after World War I, p. 191 See also: Air Forces, U.S.
    [Show full text]
  • The St. Louis Admirals R/C Model Boat Club
    The St. Louis Admirals R/C Model Boat Club UU http://stlouisadmirals.comUU BROADSIDE 21 August 2018 Commodore – Jane Benefield (636) 447-4016 Secretary – Bob Keeler (314) 434-8640 HH Vice-Commodore – Kent Morgan (314) 892-8669 Asst. Secretary – John Ziemer (636) 566-8810 Asst. Vice-Commodore – John Ziemer (636) 566-8810 Editor – Jane Benefield (636) 447-4016 Treasurer – George Kirby (636) 978-6288 NOW HEAR THIS YOUR COMMODORE FROM THE BRIDGE September is just around the corner and we are looking forward to our events in Kirkwood and the Regatta at the Boathouse in Forest Park on the 29th and 30th. Fred Burke again has invited us to the Kirkwood event and we are all looking forward to a wonderful time during the Green Tree Festival. Commodore Jane will attend Fred’s Kirkwood Yacht Club meeting on 22 August and receive Green Tree Festival parking permits for attending Admirals Club Members and she will have them available for the Admirals Club 5 September meeting. We are also making final preparations for our Regatta. Thank you to Bob Keeler for taking care of the awards and to Kent Morgan for preparing the Notice Flyers and Regulations and Registration Forms package. Commodore Jane and Bob Keeler have already delivered the packages to the Hobby Shops. Do you know the answers to Emil Wolfshoefer questions below? If not, come to the meeting to learn the answers. Who designed the first radio-controlled boat? Where was it - What year - Where was it shown - Scheduled Events Wednesday, 5 September 2018 Sunday September 16, 2018 Kirkwood Green Tree Festival Saturday 29 & Sunday 30 Annual Regatta at the September 2018 Boathouse in Forest Park Wednesday, 3 October 2018 NOTES Next Gathering: Wednesday, 5 September 2018 Prior to our 5 PM monthly 1st Wednesday-of-the-month dinner-meeting, sailing is from 2-4 PM at our usual St Ferdinand Pond, Florissant, MO – weather permitting.
    [Show full text]
  • Military Innovation and Carrier Aviation–
    1516PGS 10/15/97 7:56 AM Page 77 Military Innovation and Carrier Aviation– The Relevant History By JAN M. VAN TOL U.S. Navy USS Lexington. ajor differences between the United The early 1920s found the United States with States and Great Britain in both the huge capital ship construction underway and ap- development and employment of proaching Britain in Mahanian splendor. A M aircraft carriers and carrier aviation decade later, the battleship remained dominant in the interwar years suggest how innovation was while the battle force was far smaller than antici- highly successful in the American case and much pated. Two carriers entered service and promised less so in the British. The only country with carri- to alter naval warfare, and six months after Amer- ers at the end of World War I was Britain. It had ica entered World War II carriers decisively used carrier-based aircraft to carry out the sort of changed the nature of the Pacific War. The most missions that characterized mature operations important development leading to this capability during World War II. Royal Navy leaders sup- took place in an era of disarmament and severe ported aviation in the fleet. Yet by 1939 Britain budgetary constraints. was outclassed by America and Japan because of Revolutions in military affairs are driven by its obsolete carrier aircraft. How was such a rever- the interplay of technological, operational, and sal possible? organizational factors. This article describes the historical evolution of British and American car- rier aviation, with emphasis on those factors. An article in the next issue of JFQ will analyze how Commander Jan M.
    [Show full text]
  • Winter 2009 AW:Winter 2006 HNSA Anchor Watch.Qxd 1/26/2009 2:35 PM Page 1
    Winter 2009 AW:Winter 2006 HNSA Anchor Watch.qxd 1/26/2009 2:35 PM Page 1 JANUARY ANCHOR FEBRUARY MARCH WATCH 2009 The Quarterly Journal of the Historic Naval Ships Association www.hnsa.org 1948-2008 Ship Donation Program 60th Anniversary Winter 2009 AW:Winter 2006 HNSA Anchor Watch.qxd 1/26/2009 2:35 PM Page 2 2 ANCHOR WATCH HNSA STAFF HNSA OFFICERS President William N. Tunnell, Jr., U.S.S. Alabama/U.S.S. Drum Executive Director Vice President CDR Jeffrey S. Nilsson, U.S.N. (Ret.) RADM John P. (Mac) McLaughlin, U.S.S. Midway Executive Director Emeritus Secretary CAPT Channing M. Zucker, U.S.N. (Ret.) LCDR Sherry Richardson, H.M.C.S. Sackville Executive Secretary Treasurer James W. Cheevers COL Patrick J. Cunningham Individual Member Program Manager Buffalo & Erie County Naval & Military Park CDR Jeffrey S. Nilsson, U.S.N. (Ret.) Immediate Past President Anchor Watch Editor Captain F. W. "Rocco" Montesano, U.S.S. Lexington Jason W. Hall Battleship New Jersey Museum HONORARY DIRECTORS Webmaster Admiral Thad W. Allen, U.S. Coast Guard Richard S. Pekelney Sean Connaughton, MARAD International Coordinator Admiral Michael G. Mullen, U.S. Navy Brad King Larry Ostola, Parks Canada H.M.S. Belfast Vice Admiral Drew Robertson, Royal Canadian Navy Admiral Sir Alan West, GCB DCD, Royal Navy DIRECTORS AT LARGE Captain Jack Casey, U.S.N. (Ret) H.N.S.A. COMMITTEE U.S.S. Massachusetts Memorial CHAIRPERSONS Maury Drummond U.S.S. KIDD Alyce N. Guthrie Annual Conference PT Boats, Inc. William N. Tunnell, Jr.
    [Show full text]
  • Prelilinary REPORT U.S.S. LEXINGTON LOSS in ACTION May 8, 1942 CORAL SEA Class .•.• Aircraft Carrier (CV2) Full Load: Launched
    PRELiliNARY REPORT U.S.S. LEXINGTON LOSS IN ACTION May 8, 1942 CORAL SEA Class .•.• Aircraft Carrier (CV2) Full Load: Launched . • Oct., 1925 Displacement .. .41000 tons Length (BP). 850' Draft . • . • . • 29'1~ 11 Breadth (LWL) . 106' Draft (departure Pearl Harbor) .32'9"(mean) NARRATIVE This preliminary report is based ·on information obtained in interviews with the Commanding Officer and other officers and men of LEXINGTON after their arrival in San Diego on June . 2, 1942. The interviewing party, acting under the authority of the Connnander~in-'Chief, U.S. Fleet, obtained information on certain ope:r-ational and aeronautical features, as well as on matters included in this report. This party was composed of the following officers:- Captain G. L. Schuyler, U.S.N. Bureau of Ordnance Commander J. R. Sullivan, U• .s. N. Staff, Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Fleet. Lieut.Comdr. C.H. Lyman, U.S.N. Staff, Commander-in-Chief, u.s. Fleet • . Commander T. C. Lonnquest, U.S.N. Bureau o~ Aeronautics Commander C. M. Bolster, U.S.N. Bureau of Aeronautics Commander Win. L. Rees, U.S.N. Bureau of Aeronautics Lieut.Comdr. Dale Harris, U.S.N.· Bureau of Aeronautics Commander L. A. Kniskern, U.S.N. Bureau of Ships Lieut.Comdr. R. K. James, U.S.N. Bureau of Ships LEXINGTON was operating in the Coral Sea (exact position not stated) on May 8, 1942. At dawn LEXINGTON searched 360° and at 0830 found 2 Japanese aircraft carrier~ 175 miles away. At 0832 inter·cepted Japanese message to own c~rrier reporting ·presence of our task force.
    [Show full text]
  • Heroof the Skies
    Hero of the Skies In an amazing act of daring and bravery, Butch OʼHare earned his place in history as Americaʼs first naval Flying Ace of World War II BY GREG RIENZI On Feb. 20, 1942, Navy Lieutenant Edward took his crew on fishing and swimming trips, he “Butch” O’Hare hopped into his Wildcat fighter smoked Camel cigarettes and often flashed a plane aboard the USS Lexington aircraft carrier. Hollywood smile. This was no reconnaissance mission, flight drill O’Hare also possessed remarkable stick-and- or exercise. Duty, danger and fate beckoned. rudder and gunnery skills that made him a The Lexington sat some 450 nautical miles standout pilot and—on that fateful February from New Guinea and Japan’s Pacific naval afternoon in 1942—a nation’s knight in headquarters at Rabaul harbor. airplane armor. Earlier that afternoon, the Lexington had been discovered by a four-engine Kawanishi flying Edward O’Hare was born in St. Louis, Mo., boat. A U.S. fighter shot down the spotter plane, on March 13, 1914, to Edward Joseph O’Hare but not before it had radioed the carrier’s position. and Selma O’Hare. Young Butch, as he quickly A full squadron of Mitsubishi G4M “Betty” became known, had two sisters, Patricia bombers flew out of Rabaul to take out the and Marilyn. Lexington. To counter, the Lexington dispatched Butch’s father was a lawyer who early in his six Wildcat fighters, which took down most career met a St. Louis inventor, Oliver Smith, of the enemy planes. The ship’s anti-aircraft who developed a mechanical rabbit for use in guns finished off the rest before any damage dog racing, a new and popular pastime.
    [Show full text]