Ed Daly

For others with this name see Edward Daly.

Daly in 1971

Edward Joseph Daly (November 22, 1922 – January 21, 1984) was an American businessman most notable for his ownership of World Airways which he bought in 1950 and was active in until 1982. Under his ownership, the airline was notable for humanitarian efforts that drew national attention during the Vietnam War, as well as its pioneering low fare and no-frills service.

Early life

Daly was born to Edward Michael Daly and Elizabeth Grace in Chicago on November 22, 1922. His father, a firefighter, died when he was 15 years old. Daly helped support his family by working summers as an onion topper and in college running a truck line. The truck line operated three tractors and 5 trailers when he sold it. He was a Golden Gloves boxer, developing skills that he would use in Vietnam. Daly rejected his image as a kid from the Chicago slums, though he admitted that the time after his father's death was difficult.

He attended the University of Illinois, where he majored in biochemical engineering before he was drafted in 1941 to serve in World War II. Daly said it was a good thing that he never finished his degree because,"I was the world's worst chemical engineer". Daly achieved the rank of sergeant and served in the Pacific. Other details that are mentioned about his service but not confirmed by other sources are: he was injured (how is not specified), he was a "tech" sergeant, and that he was stationed on the Marshall Islands or in Saipan and Tinian.

He was discharged from the Army in Los Angeles and worked as a bank teller for 6 months at Security First National Bank.

Career

After deciding that banking was not for him, he worked at Scotty O’Carroll at Midway airport in Chicago, where he was in charge of bookings for all non-scheduled airlines and worked his way up to vice-president. Around this time he created National Air Freight Forwarding Inc., the first air freight forwarding company in the world. World Airways at the time was transporting mainly military cargo.

Airline

After a few years’ experience, he left the charter company with a desire to own something of his own and in 1950, at 26, he purchased a fledgling airline, World Airways. His handling of this investment made him rich and famous. He purchased the airline for $50,000 from the Berkovich Steamship Company. The source of the money is disputed. One story (rejected by Daly) claims that he won the $50,000 in a poker match. However, Daly's favorite game was Gin rummy. Another more probable narrative is that he borrowed the money from a small truck company. In the end, he paid little for an airline that would one day turn millions of dollars in profit. To illustrate how little he paid for this airline, Daly later bought an old beat up military surplus plane for $75,000 which he then sold for $175,000. The airline's asset itself was little more than the rights to fly commercial aircraft, but Daly carved out a name for himself in commercial aviation.

He is noted in particular for his concept of "no-frills" flights. His fight against the Civil Aeronautics Board for deregulation of supplemental air carriers earned him a term as spokesman for them. His other large business venture was First Western Bank and Trust Company. He sold the bank in 1974 to Lloyd's Bank of London for $115 million in cash. He kept control of his airline through his ownership of 80% of the stock.

Philanthropy

Daly was noted for actively trying to keep his philanthropy out of the spotlight. He donated his time and his money to causes ranging from aid to Muslims attempting the Hajj and donating money for a university's new science building. He served from 1962–68 as the chairman of the board of regents at Santa Clara University and his donations helped construct the science center named in his honor. Under Presidential appointment he served as chairman of the Oakland branch of the National Alliance of Businessmen. He generously supported the Boy Scouts of America despite not having a son. He was a staunch supporter of the cerebral palsy center in Alameda California. He also served as the center's chairman for a fundraising season. The Oakland Zoo used World Airways to bring a baby elephant to their facilities. Daly used his airline to bring giraffes to the zoo in Mexico City. In 1966 Daly received the "Man of the Hour" award from the city of Oakland for his efforts to promote hiring of minority groups. Scholarships were set up by him for student from West Africa, Korea and Jordan. Greenpeace received $10,000 to fuel its ships.

He personally funded circus trips annually for 5000 Oakland kids, Nutcracker ballet tickets for 1000 and Ice Follies tickets for 2000. He built a swimming pool for county wards. Daly remained silent about his personal giving in sharp contrast with the full page ads taken out by his business persona. Articles that reference his giving often say things such as, "Daly quietly has been giving…", " I don’t want to be mentioned, I mean it. No way". In one article describing his scholarships the author writes that Daly simply won't talk about them. He was willing to refer to his efforts to provide jobs for minorities.

His attitude is shown most famously in his attempt to save women and children at Da Nang. These efforts cost Daly millions of dollars and almost cost him his life. Fed up after his contracted airlifts had been prematurely canceled and with waiting for approval from the U.S. government and Saigon to provide an airlift, Daly gathered his crew to help refugees. Without official permission he took off from Saigon. Upon his arrival in Da Nang, mobs of civilians and soldiers rushed the plane. The plane never stopped taxiing while crowds of people clamored to get on. Daly emptied his pistol in the air, but was unable to restore order and was injured trying to prevent soldiers from getting on the plane. When the crew finally raised the ladder they were attacked with bullets and grenades. Those involved with the airlift regarded Daly as the sole figure trying to help the Vietnamese

Personal life

He married June Chandler in October 1949. A former flight attendant for Pan American Airlines, she later helped Daly with World Airways, becoming deputy chairman after his death.

In 1971 he stepped down as president and in 1982 retreated from business due to failing health. He died on January 21, 1984 at 61 years of age.