Lieutenant Commander Edward "Butch" H. O'Hare
U.S. Navy (USN) fighter pilot who earned the Medal of Honor

Background
Edward Henry O'Hare was born March 13, 1914 in St. Louis, Missouri to parents Edward Joseph O'Hare and Selma Anna (Lauth) O'Hare. Nicknamed "Butch". He had two younger sisters Patricia and Marilyn. In 1927 his parents divorced and he and his sisters lived with his mother in St. Louis while his father father Edward moved to Chicago and was an attorney who closely with Al Capone before turning against him and helping convict Capone. He graduated from Western Military Academy class of 1932 then attended the United States Naval Academy (USNA) class of 1937.

On June 3, 1938 commissioned as a midshipman in the U.S. Navy (USN) and assigned to battleship USS New Mexico (BB-40). During 1939 began flight training at NAS Pensacola and learned to fly the N3N-1 and Stearman NS-1 biplanes and later the SNJ trainer and F4B-1A, SBU Corsair and TBD Devastator. On May 2, 1940 he completed flight training and earned his wings.

Assigned to Fighter Squadron 3 (VF-3) as a pilot aboard USS Saratoga (CV-3) flying the F3F and F2A Buffalo and was mentored by Lt. John S. Thach. During 1941, he earned an "E" for aerial gunnery. In early 1941, VF-3 transferred to USS Enterprise (CV-6). On July 21, 1941 made his first flight in the F4F Wildcat.

Wartime History
On December 8, 1941 O'Hare was placed on active duty. On January 11, 1942 aboard USS Saratoga (CV-3) when damaged by a torpedo from I-6 off Hawaii and required repairs. On January 31, 1942 VF-3 transfered aboard USS Lexington (CV-2) that departs Pearl Harbor.

On February 20, 1942 at 3:42pm took off from USS Lexington (CV-2) piloting F4F 4031 (White F-13) on a mission to intercept a formation of nine G4M1 Bettys from 4th Kokutai, 2nd Chutai spotted on radar. At 4:49pm radar picked up a second formation of nine G4M1 Bettys from 4th Kokutai, 1st Chutai and only O'Hare and wingman Dufilho were able to intercept them only nine miles away from the carrier. At 5:00pm the pair intercepted but Dufilho's guns jammed leaving only O'Hare to engage and hit two bombers in his first high-side diving attack from the starboard side. Next, O'Hare made a second firing pass from the left side and damaged a Betty that salvoed its bombs and turned for base. His third pass from the left side shot down G4M1 Betty pilot Lt(jg) Akira Mitani, 2nd Shotai leader the targeted G4M1 Betty commander Ito and hit the left engine and fell out of formation and crashed. In total, O'Hare claimed five Bettys shot down and one probable. In fact, he only downed three bombers. For his actions, he later earned the Medal of Honor.

Medal of Honor
O'Hare earned the Medal of Honor for his actions on February 20, 1942.

Medal of Honor Citation (February 20, 1942) Citation: "For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in aerial combat, at grave risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty, as section leader and pilot of Fighting Squadron 3 on February 20, 1942. Having lost the assistance of his teammates, Lieutenant O'Hare interposed his fighter between his ship and an advancing enemy formation of 9 attacking twin-engine heavy bombers. Without hesitation, alone and unaided, he repeatedly attacked this enemy formation, at close range in the face of intense combined machine gun and cannon fire. Despite this concentrated opposition, Lieutenant O'Hare, by his gallant and courageous action, his extremely skillful marksmanship in making the most of every shot of his limited amount of ammunition, shot down 5 enemy bombers and severely damaged a sixth before they reached the bomb release point. As a result of his gallant action—one of the most daring, if not the most daring, single action in the history of combat aviation—he undoubtedly saved his carrier from serious damage."

During early 1942 sent home to the United States. On April 11, 1942 photographed flying F4F Wildcat 3986 painted in the markings of F-13 with LCdr John S. Thach for publicity footage. On April 21, 1942 he was bestowed the Medal of Honor at the White House. On April 25, 1942 a parade was held in his honor in St. Louis with his wife and mother. On June 19, 1942, O'Hare assumed command of VF-3 and based on Maui to instruct pilots in combat tactics.

On October 5, 1943 took off piloting F6F Hellcat 04884 and claimed two more aerial victories a Zeke and Betty. These were his last two victories before he was lost.

Loss
On November 26, 1943 at 5:58pm took off from USS Enterprise (CV-6) piloting an F6F Hellcat 66168 on a night mission to intercept incoming G4M1 Bettys armed with torpedoes approaching the carrier in the vicinity of Tarawa Atoll. Between 5:58pm to 6:01pm the "Black Panthers" night fighter unit catapulted into action followed by F6F Hellcat pilot Ensign Warren Andrew "Andy" Skonand and TBF-1C Avenger pilot LCDR John C. Phillips equipped with radar. This was the the Navy's first attempt at a night fighter interception from an aircraft carrier.

During the mission, the two Hellcats had difficulty finding the Avenger and the radar operator struggled to guide them to targets before joining in formation. O'Hare was last seen in the 5 o'clock position off the Avenger when the turret gunner observed a Betty above and behind O'Hare and opened fire as the Betty returned gunfire. Apparently, O'Hare was caught in the crossfire between the two planes and was last seen with his lights off veering off and may have bailed out at roughly Lat 1° 26′0″N Long 171°56′0″W. When his plane failed to return, he was declared Missing In Action (MIA).

Search
On November 27, 1943 at dawn, three planes searched for O'Hare but failed to locate him or his plane. On November 29, 1943 a PBY Catalina searched for O'Hare without result.

Aerial Victory Claims
O'Hare claimed 7 aerial victories and 1 probable.

Awards
O'Hare earned Medal of Honor, Navy Cross, Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) with Gold Star and Purple Heart, posthumously.

Memorials
O'Hare was officially declared dead on November 27, 1944 at age 29. He is memorialized at National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl) on the courts of the missing, court 1. He also has a memorial marker at Memorial Park Cemetery in Jennings, Missouri.

On June 22, 1945, U.S. Navy Gearing-class destroyer  USS O'Hare (DD-889) was named in honor of O'Hare and sponsored by his mother, Mrs. Selma O'Hare.

On September 19, 1949 Chicago Orchard Depot Airport was renamed O'Hare International Airport in honor of O'Hare. During March 1963, U.S. President John F. Kennedy did a wreath-laying ceremony at O'Hare Airport. On November 20, 1997, an F4F Wildcat 12320 recovered from Lake Michigan was put on display in the terminal. Later, removed for restoration. During June 2014 returned and installed in the western end of Terminal 2 painted in O'Hare's markings of F4F Wildcat F-15 flown on February 20, 1942 when he earned the Medal of Honor.

References
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Edward H. O'Hare
FindAGrave - LCDR Edward Henry “Butch” O'Hare (photo, courts of the missing)
FindAGrave - Edward “Butch” O'Hare (photo, memorial marker photo)
Congressional Medal of Honor Society - Edward Henry "Butch" O'Hare
Fateful Rendezvous: The Life of Butch O'Hare (1997) by Steve Ewing and John B. Lundstrom
Chicago Department of Aviation "Butch O'Hare Fighter Plane Re-Dedicated at O'Hare International Airport" September 25, 2014