From what I've read once the FBI found out the 5 family structure of NEW YORK LCN, the families have been named after the guys who were bosses at that time and the name has stuck no matter who's in charge.

While Gambino, Genovese, Luchesse and Bonanno were unquestionably heavy hitters, can the same be said about Colombo?

In the era of mafia big shots (50's-60's )was he held in that high regard?

Did he get boss position because he ratted to Gambino about Bonanno's murder plot?

Where was he during Gallo/Profaci war, was he actively involved?

https://books.google.co.nz/books?id=yuYC...mbo&f=false

In this article, and I've seen it quoted in other places, there's a conversation between Sam DeCavalcante and Frank Majuri.

Majuri: I told you Sam, I was surprised when I heard he was in there. I never would have made that guess.
DeCavalcante: What experience has he got? He was a bustout guy (petty gambler) all his life.

When crazy joe kidnapped several Profaci men in 1961 colombo at 33 y was just a capo and made a deal for free the men (he was in the group) but after gallo freed them he cut the deal and the war start. He was choose because was the most powerful and smart between the Profaci men.

I think any made member of an NYC family back then was a real gangster.

The DeCavalcantes lived through the 70's by the skin of their nuts when the Colombos were going at it...

Actually not entirely true. And a little known fact, The Gallos were being backed by Tony Bender, whom were very good friends with Larry. The kidnappings were Larry & Tony's idea, and to use them for bargaining leverage. Joey wanted to kill them because he knew Profaci wouldnt hold up to his end of the deal, and he turned out being right. Neither Larry nor Bender expected that at the time. The Gallos also had the backing of many Colombo captains, who also thought Profaci was being greedy. Frankie Shots, Charlie The Sidge, Jiggs Forlano, etc among them. Joe Colombo had little to do with "sorting out" anything. And in fact he was among the Profaci captains and loyalists whom were kidnapped by the Gallos. The Gallos & Profacis were cordial until Profaci ordered them to kill Frankie Shots, Frankie Shots was one of the Capos whom were giving the Gallos inside info on Profaci, so they passed the hit down to Carmine Persico & Joe Gioelli. They did it, but then Profaci wanted to kill Abby Shots, the Gallos flat out refused and hid Abby away on President Street. And that was the end and the beginning of the Gallo-Profaci war, the first half anyway. Profaci was the one whom capitulated and Colombo had little to do with their release, however Joey didnt trust Profaci and wanted to kill all the captives, Joe Magliocco literally pissed himself. Larry proving he was a bad war time boss, trusted Profaci when he shouldnt have, and let them go. Immediately after this Profaci reneged on his promises and ordered the murders of Larry, Joey, Punchy Illiano, a Mooney, and Gennaro "Chitoz" Basciano. Abby Shots was eventually killed as well, and the killing of Tony Bender by the Genovese removed The Gallos active outer family support.

Abby shatz was never killed, died of in the old age

Yea, I think you're right on that. Colombo did however help end the war, however this was after the deaths of Profaci & Magliocco, Colombo ended things once he became boss. And in relation to Colombo, by all accounts he wasnt a tough guy. After he dropped out of New Utrecht, he joined the coast guard, discharged for psychological difficulty. Then for a long while he worked as longshoreman, then a meat salesman and finally a real estate agent, before collecting disability. His legitimate background helped him start the Italian Civil Rights thing.

You're correct on that. Tony Shots wasn't killed, he turned tail and ran though when his buddy Sally Albanese got killed. He had plenty of money and it was a smart move for Tony. Pretty much retired from the family and lived a long life. Died old and free unlike so many others.

Joe Colombo was an enforcer, who was not the sharpest tool in the shed. Carlo Gambino was his power. There were other smarter and more capable Capos in the Colombo family who could have become boss, Simone Andolino, Cassandro Bonasera, Cosmo D'Amico, Enrico Fontana, Salvatore Lombardino, Giovanni Misuraca just to name a few.