- In full:
- Edward Henry O’Hare
- Byname:
- Butch
- Born:
- March 13, 1914, St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
- Disappeared:
- November 26, 1943, near Tarawa, Gilbert and Ellice Islands [now Kiribati] (aged 29)
- Awards And Honors:
- Medal of Honor
- Role In:
- World War II
Edward O’Hare
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Who was Edward O’Hare?
Edward "Butch" O’Hare (1914-1943) was an American naval aviator and World War II hero. He was the first U.S. Navy flying ace, a title given to fighter pilots who shot down five or more enemy planes, during World War II.
On February 20, 1942, while assigned to Fighter Squadron 3 (VF-3) on the USS Lexington, O’Hare single-handedly confronted eight Japanese bombers, shooting down five and damaging a sixth. For his bravery, he received the Congressional Medal of Honor from President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
In 1949, Orchard Field Airport near Chicago was renamed O'Hare International Airport in his honor.
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What did Edward O’Hare do during World War II?
During World War II, Edward O'Hare served as a fighter pilot. In 1942, while assigned to Fighter Squadron 3 (VF-3) on the USS Lexington, he single-handedly confronted eight Japanese bombers, shooting down five and damaging a sixth, becoming the U.S. Navy’s first flying ace. For his valor, he received the Congressional Medal of Honor. O'Hare also spent months touring the U.S. to boost morale and sell war bonds. In 1943, he returned to combat, earning two Distinguished Flying Crosses for attacks on Marcus and Wake Islands. Later, as commander of air operations aboard the USS Enterprise, he disappeared during a night mission near Tarawa on November 26, 1943, and was declared dead in 1944.
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Why is Edward O’Hare considered a war hero?
Edward "Butch" O'Hare is considered a war hero because he was the U.S. Navy's first flying ace during World War II. On February 20, 1942, near Bougainville Island, O'Hare faced eight Japanese bombers alone when his wingman's guns jammed. He shot down five aircraft and damaged a sixth, making him the first U.S. air ace of the war. For his valor, he received the Congressional Medal of Honor from President Franklin D. Roosevelt. O'Hare's actions significantly boosted morale in the United States. O'Hare International Airport in Chicago is named in his honor.
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What important battle or mission is Edward O’Hare famous for?
Edward O’Hare, an American aviator and World War II hero, is most famous for his actions on February 20, 1942. On that day, while assigned to Fighter Squadron 3 (VF-3) on the USS Lexington, O’Hare faced eight Japanese bombers alone near Bougainville Island in the Solomon Islands after his wingman's guns jammed. Flying a Grumman F4F Wildcat, he shot down five aircraft and damaged a sixth, becoming the U.S. Navy’s first flying ace of World War II. For his valor, O’Hare received the Congressional Medal of Honor and was the first World War II hero to be decorated by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. O’Hare International Airport in Chicago is named in his honor.
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How did Edward O’Hare’s actions impact the war effort?
As the U.S. Navy's first flying ace during World War II, Edward O’Hare's actions significantly impacted the war effort. On February 20, 1942, near Bougainville Island, O’Hare faced eight Japanese bombers alone after his wingman's guns jammed. He shot down five aircraft and damaged a sixth, becoming the first U.S. air ace of the war, for which he received the Congressional Medal of Honor.
O’Hare's efforts extended beyond combat. After his initial success, he toured the United States to boost morale and sell war bonds. Back in combat in 1943, he flew the new Grumman F6F Hellcat fighter and twice earned the Distinguished Flying Cross for attacks on Japanese planes and ground installations.
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What honors or recognitions did Edward O’Hare receive for his bravery?
For his bravery, Edward O’Hare received several honors and recognitions. He was the first World War II hero to be decorated by President Franklin D. Roosevelt and was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. He also received the Distinguished Flying Cross twice for his actions in aerial combat in the Pacific. Posthumously, O’Hare received the Navy Cross. In 1949, Orchard Field Airport near Chicago was renamed in his honor and is now known as O’Hare International Airport.
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Edward O’Hare (born March 13, 1914, St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.—disappeared November 26, 1943, near Tarawa, Gilbert and Ellice Islands [now Kiribati]) was an American aviator and war hero who became the U.S. Navy’s first flying ace during World War II. At the time, a flying ace was a fighter pilot who shot down five or more enemy planes. O’Hare International Airport in Chicago is named in his honour.
At the age of 13, O’Hare went to the Western Military Academy in Alton, Illinois. During the mid-1920s, his father, attorney Edward Joseph O’Hare, had become involved with Chicago gangster Al Capone through their mutual interest in the greyhound-racing business. O’Hare senior later turned against Capone, and his testimony was crucial at Capone’s trial for tax evasion.
From 1933 to 1937 the younger O’Hare attended the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland. (Some historians have claimed that his father testified against Capone to secure a place for his son at Annapolis, but this story is likely doubtful.) He was an undistinguished student and graduated 255th out of a class of 323. When he completed his studies there, O’Hare was assigned to the battleship USS New Mexico. He served on the ship for two years before he began flight training. In 1940 he was assigned to the USS Saratoga, where he flew biplanes and learned how to land planes on aircraft carriers. O’Hare joined the crew of the USS Enterprise in 1941. That same year he married Rita Wooster.
O’Hare was assigned to Fighter Squadron 3 (VF-3) on the aircraft carrier USS Lexington in 1942. He flew a Grumman F4F Wildcat. When the ship was attacked by Japanese bombers near Bougainville Island in the Solomon Islands on February 20, 1942, O’Hare found himself facing eight bombers alone when his wingman’s guns jammed. He shot down five aircraft and damaged a sixth, making him the first U.S. air ace of the war. He was the first World War II hero to be decorated by Pres. Franklin D. Roosevelt. For his valour, O’Hare was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. Naval command had him spend the next few months touring the United States to boost morale and to sell war bonds. He then assumed command of VF-3 and was stationed in Maui, Hawaii, where he trained fighter pilots.
O’Hare returned to a combat position in 1943, flying the new Grumman F6F Hellcat fighter. While assigned to the USS Independence, he engaged in aerial combat in the Pacific. His actions twice earned him the Distinguished Flying Cross. The first was for an attack on August 31, 1943, in which O’Hare and his squadron inflicted heavy damage on Japanese planes and ground installations on Marcus Island. The second was for an attack on Japanese planes at Wake Island on October 5, 1943, in which O’Hare shot down one plane, and he and his squadron destroyed seven other planes.
O’Hare then became commander of the air operations aboard the USS Enterprise. On November 26, 1943, he participated in one of the first nighttime fighter plane launches from an aircraft carrier. During the air fight that followed, O’Hare disappeared and was presumed shot down. Shortly thereafter the navy declared him missing in action, and in 1944 he was officially declared dead. He received the Navy Cross posthumously. In 1949 Orchard Field Airport near Chicago was renamed in honour of O’Hare.