Lt. Cmdr. Edward “Butch” O’Hare A Distinguished Naval Career For his efforts during World War II, Lt. Cmdr. Edward “Butch” O’Hare was awarded the U.S. Congressional Medal of Honor. President Franklin D. Roosevelt termed O’Hare’s mission that saved the Lexington from enemy bombers “One of the most daring, if not the most daring, single action in the history of combat aviation.” On February 20, 1942, the U.S.S. Lexington was approximately 400 miles away from its destination of Rabaul Harbor in the Solomon Islands when the aircraft carrier was spotted by enemy patrols. Lt. O’Hare and another fighter pilot with him picked up the formation of enemy fighters closing in on the Lexington. Unfortunately, O’Hare’s wingman had difficulty when his guns jammed, so O’Hare was left to fight the battle alone. In just a matter of minutes, O’Hare singlehandedly executed a swift and decisive attack on enemy fighters and saved the U.S.S. Lexington. Born in St. Louis, Missouri on March 13, 1914, Edward Henry O’Hare attended the U.S. Naval Academy and graduated from Annapolis in 1937. From there, as an Ensign, O’Hare traveled to Pensacola, Florida for flight training school at the Naval Air Station and graduated in May, 1940, becoming officially qualified as a naval aviator. The namesake of Chicago’s premiere aviation facility was well on his way to a most distinguished career as a highly decorated naval officer. After receiving the Congressional Medal of Honor in 1942, Lt. Cmdr. O’Hare was awarded the “Distinguished Flying Cross” for his actions taken against enemy forces near Marcus Island on August 31, 1943. Lt. Cmdr. O’Hare was recognized by the Navy again for heroic actions taken in a battle near Wake Island on October 5, 1943. The Navy awarded him a “Gold Star” in lieu of his second “Distinguished Flying Cross”. The citation stated: “His inspiring leadership and gallant fighting spirit under the most perilous conditions reflect great credit upon Lt. Cmdr. O’Hare, his command and the United States Naval Service.” Just one month later, in November 1943, as an Air Group Commander, Butch O’Hare went to Admiral Radford, volunteering to lead his squadron on a daring mission to conduct the first-ever Navy nighttime fighter attack from an aircraft carrier. After he was given the go-ahead, on November 26, Lt. O’Hare led the first fighter section to intercept a large force of enemy torpedo bombers. Lt. Cmdr O’Hare’s plane was lost in enemy action in the vicinity of Tarawa Atoll, and was declared missing in action. One year later, on November 27, 1944, he was declared dead. The U.S. Navy recognized his bravery with the “Navy Cross” award. Even with his many awards, Butch was a humble man who shunned publicity and never sought recognition for his heroic actions. He has been called one of the greatest heros in naval history, and his effective leadership is befitting of the great airport named after him. On countless occasions, O’Hare risked his life and went above and beyond the call of duty in the many missions he flew.