Fighter pilot Butch O'Hare became one of America's heroes in 1942 when he saved the carrier Lexington in what has been called the most daring single action in the history of combat aviation. In fascinating detail the authors describe how O'Hare shot down five attacking Japanese bombers and severely damaged a sixth and other awe-inspiring feats of aerial combat that won him awards, including the Medal of Honor. They also explain his key role in developing tactics and night-fighting techniques that helped defeat the Japanese.
In addition, the authors investigate events leading up to O'Hare's disappearance in 1943 while intercepting torpedo bombers headed for the Enterprise. First published in 1997, this biography utilizes O'Hare family papers and U.S. and Japanese war records as well as eyewitness interviews. It is essential reading for a true understanding of the development of the combat naval aviation and the talents of the universally admired and well-liked Butch O'Hare.
Edward "Butch" O'Hare...
Related Scanning WWII links...
- 20 Feb 42: O'Hare becomes the first US fighter Ace of the war
- 26 Mar 42: O'Hare greeted as celebrity by reporters in Hawaii
- 21 Apr 42: O'Hare receives the Medal of Honor at White the House
- 25 Apr 42: O'Hare given a hero's parade in his hometown St Louis
- 19 Jun 42: O'Hare is relocated to Maui to instruct other pilots
- 31 Aug 43: O'Hare is awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross
- 05 Oct 43: O'Hare is awarded a Gold Star in lieu of another DFC
- 26 Nov 43: O'Hare is shot down in combat, never to be found
- 09 Dec 43: Official word arrives from the PTO that O'Hare is MIA
- 27 Jan 45: US Navy launches the destroyer USS O'Hare in his honor
- 19 Sep 49: Chicago's airport is renamed O'Hare International
Related WWII Store items (other Aces of WWII)...
- Douglas Bader
Reach for the Sky: The Story of Douglas Bader, Legless Ace of the Battle of Britain - George Beurling
Malta Spitfire: The Diary of an Ace Fighter Pilot - Dick Bong
Ace of Aces: The Story of Fighter Pilot Dick Bong - Gabby Gabreski
Gabby: A Fighter Pilot's Life - Edward "Butch" O'Hare
Fateful Rendezvous: The Life of Butch O'Hare - Hans Marseille
The Star of Africa: The Story of Hans Marseille, the Rogue Luftwaffe Ace Who Dominated the WWII Skies - Prince Heinrich zu Sayn-Wittgenstein
and
Prince Egmont zur Lippe-Weissenfeld
Princes of Darkness: The Lives of Two Luftwaffe Night Fighter Aces - Japanese Air Aces
Aces of the Rising Sun 1937-1945