This is an I-Heart podcast.

This is Lee Habib, and this is Our American Stories.

And today's story comes to us from a great friend of the show, Bob

Croather, bringing us an illustrious American tale that begins with the Chicago mob

in the 1920s and ends with a heroic feat by a man who was born in 1914. Take it away, Bob.

Let me tell you two stories about two men who come from my town, Chicago.

Story number one.

Many years ago, Al Capone virtually owned Chicago.

Capone wasn't famous for anything heroic.

He was notorious for enmeshing the windy city and everything from

bootleg booze and prostitution to murder. Capone had a lawyer named Easy Eddie. He was his

lawyer for a good reason. Eddie was very good. In fact, Eddie's skill at legal maneuvering kept Big Al out of jail for a long time.

To show his appreciation, Capone paid him very well.

Not only was the money big, but Eddie got special dividends.

For instance, he and his family occupied a fenced-in mansion with living help and all the conveniences of the day.

The estate was so large that it filled an entire Chicago City block.

Eddie lived the high life of the Chicago mob and gave little consideration to the atrocity that went on around him.

Eddie did have one soft spot, however.

He had a son that he loved dearly.

Eddie saw to it that his young son had the best of everything,

clothes, cars, and a good education.

Nothing was withheld. Price was no object. And despite his involvement

...