A Medal of Honor recipient and pioneering pilot, known for his heroic actions in World War II, including downing five Japanese bombers in a single mission.
Edward OHare, also known as "Butch" OHare, is celebrated for his extraordinary bravery as a naval aviator of the United States Navy during World War II. On February 20, 1942, he became the Navy's first fighter ace of the war, single-handedly attacking a formation of nine Japanese medium bombers and shooting down five enemy planes with limited ammunition.
Born on March 13, 1914, in St. Louis, Missouri, OHare was the son of Selma Anna Lauth and Edward Joseph OHare. He had two sisters, Patricia and Marilyn, and was of Irish and German descent. After his parents divorced in 1927, OHare stayed with his mother in St. Louis, while his father, a lawyer, moved to Chicago. OHare's father worked closely with Al Capone before turning against him and helping convict him of tax evasion.
OHare graduated from the Western Military Academy in 1932 and went on to attend the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland. He was commissioned as an ensign on June 3, 1937, and served two years on the battleship USS New Mexico.
On February 20, 1942, OHare's heroics earned him the Medal of Honor, becoming the first naval aviator to receive the honor in World War II. His bravery was a significant morale boost for the American public, and he became an overnight sensation.
OHare's final action took place on the night of November 26, 1943, while leading the U.S. Navy's first-ever nighttime fighter attack launched from an aircraft carrier. During this encounter with a group of Japanese torpedo bombers, OHare's Grumman F6F Hellcat was shot down, and he was never found.
In 1945, the U.S. Navy destroyer USS OHare (DD-889) was named in his honor. On September 19, 1949, the Chicago-area Orchard Field Airport was renamed OHare International Airport, six years after OHare's disappearance.
An F4F Wildcat, identical to the aircraft "White F-15" flown by OHare, is on display in Terminal 2 of OHare International Airport. The display was formally opened on the 75th anniversary of his Medal of Honor flight.
Edward OHare's bravery and sacrifice have inspired generations of Americans. His legacy continues to be felt in the aviation community, and his story serves as a reminder of the importance of courage and selflessness in the face of adversity.
Today, OHare International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world, and the USS OHare (DD-889) remains a testament to his bravery and sacrifice.
Born in 1890
A Medal of Honor recipient and pioneering aviator, known for his heroic feats in World War I and his leadership in the aviation industry.
Born in 1879
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The first person to fly solo non-stop across the Atlantic Ocean, completing a historic 33.5-hour flight in 1927 and becoming an international hero and aviation icon.
Born in 1896
Led a daring bombing raid on Tokyo in 1942, earning the Medal of Honor for his bravery and helping to turn the tide of World War II.
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The first test pilot to break the sound barrier, achieving a historic milestone in aviation and paving the way for supersonic flight. This daring feat cemented his status as a legendary figure in the history of flight.
