Life - Leadership / Workplace

     During the course of World War II, many people became heroes in one way or another. One man who left a legacy was Butch O’Hare. He was a fighter pilot assigned to an aircraft carrier in the Pacific. One time, his entire squadron was ordered to fly a particular mission. After he was airborne, he looked at his fuel gauge and realized that the technician had neglected to top off his fuel tank. Because of this, he did not have enough fuel to complete his mission and get back to his ship in time. His commander told Butch to leave the formation and return to the fleet.

      As Butch was returning to his ship, he could see a squadron of Japanese fighter planes
heading toward the American fleet for an attack. With all the American fighter planes gone, the fleet of aircraft carriers was almost defenseless. There was only a short window of time to distract and divert the enemy. Single-handedly, Butch dove into the formation of Japanese planes and attacked them.

     The American fighter planes were rigged with cameras so pictures could be taken as they flew and fought. This technology helped the military to learn more about the terrain,
key locations, and enemy maneuvers. Butch dove at them and fired until all his ammunition was gone. He dove repeatedly and tried to clip off wings or tails or anything that would make enemy planes unfit to fly. He did everything he could to keep them from reaching the American ships.

        Finally, what was left of the Japanese squadron took off in another direction. Butch O’Hare and his fighter plane, both seriously damaged, limped back to the carrier for a turbulent landing. He told the story to his fellow soldiers, but not until the film from the camera on his plane was developed did the military realize the extent he went to in order to protect the fleet. Butch was recognized as a hero and given one of the nation’s highest military honors. Later on, the busiest airport in the country was named in his honor. We are all familiar with O’Hare Airport in Chicago.

Prior to that time, there was a man named Easy Eddie. He was working in Chicago for a well-known criminal named Al Capone. Unlike Butch O’Hare, Al Capone wasn’t famous for anything heroic. Actually he was notorious for the murders he committed and the many illegal things he had done.

The story continues at "A Hero, A Villain, and God - Part II"

• Leadership / Workplace

Author

Ellie Lofaro

Ellie Lofaro’s message is a wonderful blend of plainspoken truth, common sense practicality, and disarming humor. A serious student of Scripture and a keen observer of the culture, Ellie has developed a unique teaching style that touches the heart, stimulates the mind, and nourishes the soul— thus inspiring her to found Heart, Mind, & Soul Ministries. Completely convinced of God’s love and His mandate to “go and tell,” Ellie has committed her life to sharing the Great News. She speaks internationally, has authored six books and teaches a weekly interdenominational Bible Study. Ellie and her husband, Frank (CEO of the Christian Leadership Alliance), reside near the nation’s capital. They have three “almost grown” children.

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