Edward O'Hare

Edward O'Hare
US Navy employee · Public domain · source
Name	Edward "Butch" O'Hare
Birth date	March 13, 1914
Birth place	St. Louis, Missouri
Death date	November 26, 1943
Death place	North Atlantic Ocean (near Iceland)
Alma mater	United States Naval Academy
Rank	Lieutenant Commander
Awards	Medal of Honor, Navy Cross, Distinguished Flying Cross

Edward O'Hare

Edward "Butch" O'Hare was a United States Navy aviator and Medal of Honor recipient noted for aerial combat in the Pacific Theater during World War II. He gained national prominence after a single-flight action defending the aircraft carrier USS Lexington (CV-2) from a bomber attack, earning the Medal of Honor and becoming a symbol for wartime heroism. After returning to active duty as a leader in naval aviation, his career continued with roles with carrier-based squadrons and involvement in early carrier air group tactics before his disappearance over the North Atlantic.

Early life and family

Born in St. Louis, Missouri, O'Hare was the son of prominent businessman and politician Edward Joseph O'Hare Sr. and socialite Patricia O'Hare (née Lyons). He attended Western Military Academy and later gained an appointment to the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland, where he trained alongside future naval leaders from institutions such as United States Naval Academy Class of 1937 peers who would serve in the Pacific War. His family connections intersected with figures in finance and aviation linked to names like Aviation industry pioneers and contemporary personalities associated with St. Louis high society.

Naval aviation career

After graduating from the United States Naval Academy, O'Hare underwent flight training at Naval Air Station Pensacola, earning designation as a naval aviator and joining carrier aviation communities including Fighter Squadron One (VF-1) and units aboard USS Lexington (CV-2). He flew Grumman designs such as the Grumman F4F Wildcat and engaged with carrier doctrine development contemporaneous with aviators from VF-3, VF-2, and squadrons operating from carriers like USS Saratoga (CV-3), USS Enterprise (CV-6), and USS Yorktown (CV-5). His contemporaries included noted figures such as Admiral Marc Mitscher, Rear Admiral John S. McCain Sr., and pilots connected to tactics used later in actions like the Battle of the Coral Sea and Battle of Midway.

Medal of Honor action

On the night of February 20, 1942, while assigned to the carrier USS Lexington (CV-2) in the Pacific Ocean near Bougainville-era operations, O'Hare intercepted a formation of Japanese Mitsubishi G4M bombers approaching the carrier task force. In a daring single-pilot sortie flying a Grumman F4F Wildcat, he attacked the incoming formation, successfully disrupting a coordinated torpedo-bombing run and shooting down multiple bombers, actions which prevented severe damage to Lexington and her escorting ships including destroyers of the Pacific Fleet and cruisers that were part of Task Force 11. For his conspicuous gallantry he was awarded the Medal of Honor by Franklin D. Roosevelt, with the citation highlighting his decisive engagement and its impact on carrier survival during early Pacific War carrier operations. The action was widely reported in wartime media outlets and celebrated alongside contemporaneous naval heroes such as Commander John Thach and aviators who influenced tactics in battles like the Battle of the Coral Sea.

Post-war service and later life

Following his celebrated action and promotion, O'Hare served in training and leadership assignments, contributing to carrier air group development and flying with units assigned to carriers in the Atlantic Ocean and Pacific training fleets. He interacted with aviation policymakers and leaders within institutions such as Naval Air Station complexes and participated in public relations events coordinated with the U.S. Navy and wartime agencies, meeting prominent figures from Washington, D.C. and military circles. O'Hare's post-action career included mentions in popular culture and media pieces referencing wartime heroes, alongside other decorated servicemen like Doolittle Raid participants and leaders from the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations.

Death and legacy

On November 26, 1943, O'Hare disappeared during a night fighter interception mission over the North Atlantic while operating from a patrol plane base near Iceland; his aircraft was lost and his death declared in the line of duty, an event contemporaneous with anti-submarine and convoy protection operations involving ships such as USS Bogue (CVE-9) and units of the Atlantic Fleet. His legacy endures through memorials and namesakes including O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, naval vessels and squadron insignia, historical accounts in works on Naval aviation and World War II biographies alongside studies of figures like Chester W. Nimitz, William F. Halsey Jr., and Hershel "Woody" Williams. Museums, historical societies, and naval heritage organizations commemorate his actions in exhibits that contextualize carrier aviation development, and annual remembrances link his name with other Medal of Honor recipients from the Pacific War.

Category:United States Navy officers Category:Medal of Honor recipients Category:World War II aviators