By David A. F. Sweet Often it’s not easy to spot heroes. They’re humble about their exploits, and it’s difficult to persuade them to speak about their accomplishments. There’s a hero in Lake Forest named Captain James Daniel Ehret. Nearly 91, on a rare occasion he may be dressed in his Navy uniform, a hat atop his head and medals across his heart, but otherwise few know he even served our country during war.
Captain Ehret, shown with his wife Helen, logged over 500 carrier landings -- half at night while landing on a pitching, rolling deck.
According to his daughter Elizabeth Bardwell, Captain Ehret flew the A-1 Skyraider, A-4 Skyhawk and the A-7 Corsair II, all single-engine, single-seat light attack aircraft, in 100 combat missions during the Vietnam War. He provided air support to our troops on the ground during his three tours in Vietnam. He logged over 500 carrier landings -- half at night while landing on a pitching, rolling deck -- and was awarded seven combat air medals, the Legion of Merit, the Defense Superior Service Medal (for reasons he cannot divulge) and more than a dozen foreign and domestic awards.
Captain Ehret also was involved with strike operations officer on USS Enterprise, the world’s first nuclear aircraft carrier. He was commanding officer of the Navy’s largest jet training squadron, Training Squadron 7 – known as the Magnificent Seven and situated in Mississippi. He spent six years with the Joint Chiefs of Staff in the Pentagon in Washington, D.C.
As a young ensign and fledgling pilot, Captain Ehret made his first carrier landing while his father observed from the ship’s bridge with the commanding officer. After nine years as a bachelor naval aviator, he had become a professional groomsman and godfather. It was 1963, at his sister Jane’s wedding, he met the woman who would become the love of his life. He thought Helen “Honey” Carey was a blend of Elizabeth Taylor and Suzanne Pleshette. About a year later, Jim and Honey were married at St. Issac Jogues Church in Hinsdale and enjoyed raising five children.
Captain Ehret and Helen on their wedding day.
While in the Navy, Captain Ehret and his wife moved within the United States more than two dozen times before settling in Lake Forest. Captain Ehret went through the same slow process of reaching a higher level of being as he matured in his Roman Catholic faith through study and daily attendance at mass at St. Mary’s Church. All this slowly and surely helped him to understand that God and his guardian angel have been at his side his entire life. He especially appreciates the love and support from the aptly named Back Pew Crew, which can be found after mass most days enjoying coffee and convivial exchange at Gerhardt’s Bakery.
As Veterans Day approaches, we salute you, Captain Ehret!