Edward O'Hare

Lt. Cmdr. Edward "Butch" O'Hare (March 13, 1914 – November 27, 1943) was a United States Navy pilot who on February 20, 1942 became America's first World War II flying ace. The O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, Illinois, and USS O'Hare were named in his honor.

World War II service

O'Hare's most famous flight occurred on February 20, 1942. He was on board the aircraft carrier Lexington, which had been assigned the dangerous task of penetrating enemy-held waters north of New Ireland. While still 400 miles from the harbor at Rabaul, Lexington was discovered by a Japanese flying boat and a group of Japanese torpedo planes attacked the task force. As section leader and pilot of VF-3, O'Hare single-handedly shot down 5 or 6 planes and helped to save the ship. For this act he was promoted to lieutenant commander and awarded the Medal of Honor, the highest decoration of his country.

Related Topics:
February 20 - 1942 - Aircraft carrier - ''Lexington'' - New Ireland - Rabaul - VF-3 - Lieutenant commander - Medal of Honor

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

O'Hare was also awarded the Navy Cross, the Distinguished Flying Cross, and Gold Star in lieu of a second Distinguished Flying Cross in subsequent air actions.

Related Topics:
Navy Cross - Distinguished Flying Cross - Gold Star

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

O'Hare died in an air crash on November 27, 1943 at Tarawa during the first carrier-based night fighter operations by the U.S. Navy. The circumstances of his death are unclear, the assumptions being that his plane may have been hit by Japanese bombers, or gone down in friendly fire by the planes in his own formation.

Related Topics:
November 27 - 1943 - Tarawa

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~