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What are the origins of O’Hare International Airport?

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The airport site initially opened as Douglas Airport, a manufacturing base for Douglas C-54 Skymaster aircraft during World War II. The airport was later renamed Orchard Field Airport, which inspired its modern three-letter code, ORD. In 1945 Chicago selected the site for development as a new municipal airport to supplement Midway Airport, and in 1949 it was renamed O’Hare International Airport in honor of World War II flying ace Edward Henry (“Butch”) O’Hare. Commercial airline service officially began at O’Hare on October 29, 1955.