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Lieutenant Commander Edward Henry O'Hare (March 13, 1914 – November 26, 1943) was an American naval aviator of the United States Navy, who on February 20, 1942, became the Navy's first fighter ace of the war when he single-handedly attacked a formation of nine medium bombers approaching his aircraft carrier.
Edward Henry “Butch” O’Hare rocketed to fame in February 1942 by singlehandedly taking on eight Japanese torpedo bombers bent on destroying the aircraft carrier USS Lexington and shooting down several of them. For this deed, President Franklin D. Roosevelt decorated him with the Medal of Honor.
Edward O’Hare 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.
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
He ordered O’Hare and wingman Lieutenant Marion Dufilho to stay over the Lexington in reserve while the rest off the fighters went off to meet the attackers. The ensuing battle lasted almost 10 minutes.
Mar 14, 2017 · O’Hare’s demonstration of courage, airmanship and gunnery had been outstanding. Admiral Brown and Captain Sherman, the Lexington’s CO both concluded it was very likely that O’Hare’s heroic efforts probably saved the carrier from serious damage or even total destruction.
Jun 29, 2018 · U.S. Navy Lieutenant Edward “Butch” O’Hare holds the distinction of being the first Naval Aviator to be awarded the Medal of Honor—the United States’ highest military honor—during World War II. His accomplishments as a fighter pilot are incredible in their own right.
The Navy’s first flying ace and first Naval recipient of the Medal of Honor, Edward “Butch” O’Hare is a legendary WWII war hero. Learn how he shot down five Japanese bombers with limited ammo and went on to become the symbolic American hero.
