O'Hare International Airport is the primary airport serving Chicago, Illinois, and is one of the busiest and most important airports in the United States. Located approximately 27 km (17 miles) northwest of downtown Chicago, O'Hare is a major hub for both domestic and international travel. Originally opened in 1944 as an aircraft manufacturing facility, the airport later evolved into a commercial aviation hub and was renamed after Edward "Butch" O'Hare, a highly decorated U.S. Navy pilot and Medal of Honor recipient. Today, O'Hare is a key gateway connecting North America with Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America.