Paul Layendecker’s “WAY BACK WHEN” for Thurs. Feb. 20, 2025
1942 Edward “Butch O’Hare” single-handedly attacked nine Japanese bombers, shooting down five, saving the USS Lexington from certain destruction. These actions made him the U.S. Navy’s first flying ace, and the Navy’s first WWII recipient of the Medal of Honor. He died in action the following year. O’Hare Airport in Chicago bears his name.
1954 Ford unveiled their new two-seater “personal luxury” car, the Thunderbird. Ford built it to compete with Chevrolet’s Corvette, however, they emphasized its comfort and drivability more than its sportiness.
1962 John Glenn in Friendship 7. Glenn circled the globe three times in 4 hours and 56 minutes, reaching speeds of more than 17,000 miles per hour. The successful mission concluded with a splashdown and recovery in the Atlantic Ocean, 800 miles southeast of Bermuda.
Music History:
1970 The single ‘Instant Karma’ by The Plastic Ono Band was released in the US. John Lennon had written, recorded and mixed the track all in one day on the 27th of January.
Notable Birthdays:
Singer Rihanna 37
Model Cindy Crawford 59
Basketball great Charles Barkley 62
Credit to:
Thisdayinmusic.com and Thisdaytrivia.com
