Fifty years ago this week, President John F. Kennedy came to Chicago to officially dedicate O'Hare International Airport, which had been named in memory of WWII fighter pilot Edward "Butch" O'Hare in 1949. The visit offers a window into two Chicago families: The Daleys and the O'Hares.
President John F. Kennedy, left, and Mayor Daley, right, leave the Conrad Hilton after attending the O'Hare International Airport dedication ceremony on March 23, 1963. — Leonard Bartholomew, Chicago Tribune historical photo
In 1963 President Kennedy lays a wreath on a monument dedicated to Lt. Comdr. Edward "Butch" O'Hare. The wreath was handed to him by O'Hare's nephews, Philip Tovrea III and Edward Palmer, right. — Steve Lasker, Chicago American
Eager hands reach toward President John F. Kennedy as he walks from the O'Hare International Airport terminal building with Mayor Daley, right, on March 23, 1963. Approximately 5,000 people gathered at the airport to catch a glimpse of the president. A secret service agent is at Kennedy's right. — Chicago Tribune
President John F. Kennedy speaks at a dedication ceremony at O'Hare International Airport on March 23, 1963. "Among airports, it is first in nation, like so many other things about Chicago," he said. Mayor Richard J. Daley is on the left. — Chicago Tribune
Naval aviator and the U.S. Navy's first ace, Lt. Commander Edward Henry "Butch" O'Hare (1914 - 1943), stands next to a Grumman F4F-3 Wildcat fighter plane in the early 1940's. — Getty Images
World War II fighter pilot Lt. Cmdr. Edward "Butch" O'Hare, right, is congratulated by President Franklin D. Roosevelt as O'Hare's wife Rita places the Medal of Honor around his neck on April 21, 1942, during a White House ceremony in Washington, D.C. — National Archives
Navy Lt. Edward "Butch" O'Hare, shot down five Japanese bombers. He won the Medal of Honor but disappeared in the South Pacific in 1943. — Chicago Tribune historical photo
Edward "Butch" O'Hare waves during a parade held in his honor in his hometown of St. Louis, Missouri. Flanking him are his mother Selma O'Hare, left, and his wife Rita O'Hare, right. Printed on Sept. 25, 1949. — Chicago Tribune historical photo
"Eddie spent much of his time in Chicago, where riding was his favorite sport, next to swimming," said his sister Patricia, seen here with him riding horses. Undated photo ran in the newspaper on Oct. 2, 1949. — Chicago Tribune historical photo
Edward "Butch" O'Hare in his working clothes in 1943 during the period when he was training a squadron at an advanced Pacific base. — Wide World Photo, Chicago Tribune historical photo
Mrs. Selma O'Hare, middle, and her daughters Mrs. Walter Palmer, left, and Mrs. Philip Tovrea, right, read the inscription on the bronze plaque commemorating the heroism of their son and brother Edward "Butch" O'Hare at the Glenview Naval Air Training Station on Sept. 17, 1949. — Chicago Tribune historical photo
Edward J. O'Hare was once an attorney who represented liquor and dog track interests, managed an Illinois track near St. Louis and then was invited to Chicago by Capone's men to run the Hawthorne Kennel Club dog track in Cicero. — Chicago Tribune historical photo, Jan. 12, 2010
Edward J. O'Hare, left, on September 28, 1939, just two months before O'Hare would die of two shotgun blasts as he raced his automobile northeast on Ogden Avenue near Rockwell Street. Reports were that the death was connected with imminent release of Al Capone from prison. — Chicago Tribune historical photo
An undated photo of Edward J. O'Hare emerging from court when he was president of the Hawthorne Kennel Club, a Cicero dog track. O'Hare was in court for a hearing on an injunction against the track. — Chicago Tribune historical photo
Edward J. O'Hare's auto rests against the trolley pole at Ogden Avenue and Rockwell Street after his murder on November 8, 1939. Edward J. O'Hare died of two shotgun blasts as he raced his automobile northeast on Ogden Avenue near Rockwell Street in Chicago in a futile effort to outdistance men he knew were going to kill him. The death car drew alongside, its occupants fired into O'Hare's head and neck, and the the assassin's car sped away. — Chicago Tribune historical photo
Edward J. O'Hare's auto, marked by the artist's arrow on the original Chicago Tribune print, rests against the trolley pole at Ogden Avenue and Rockwell Street in Chicago after his murder on November 8, 1939. O'Hare died of two shotgun blasts as he raced his automobile northeast on Ogden Avenue near Rockwell St. in a futile effort to outdistance the men who would kill him. — Chicago Tribune historical photo
Edward J. O'Hare was shot to death in his car on Nov. 8, 1939. O'Hare died of two shotgun blasts as he raced his automobile northeast on Ogden Avenue near Rockwell Street in Chicago in a futile effort to outdistance the men who would kill him. The death car drew alongside, its occupants fired into O'Hare's head and neck, and the the assassin's car sped away. Reports were that the death was connected with Al Capone's imminent release from prison. — Chicago Tribune historical photo
Edward "Butch" O'Hare talks to Lieut. Thomas Kelly, right, about the murder of his father, Edward J. O'Hare Sr. The photo ran on Nov. 18, 1939, ten days after O'Hare was gunned down in his car in Chicago. — Chicago Tribune historical photo, March 12, 2013
The articles found on Edward J. O'Hare after he was murdered on November 8, 1939, including keys, money, a watch, cold tablets, cuff links, a Western Union note and a ticket to roller derby. — Chicago Tribune historical photo
The body of Edward J. O'Hare is removed from the funeral parlor on November 10, 1939. — Chicago Tribune historical photo
