YESTERDAY'S CITY - Part II

The lives of the O’Hare family and of most Americans changed dramatically only three months later when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. On the following days, Butch left with his fighter squadron on a mission in the Pacific, and his wife returned to her parents’ home in Keokuk, Iowa. The times were especially tense. American forces won precious few victories because of personnel and aircraft shortages left in the wake of Pearl Harbor. Young O’Hare found himself a pilot and section leader of Fighting Squadron 3, assigned to protect the aircraft carrier Lexington.

O’Hare’s moment of destiny came on February 20, 1942, as his Australia-bound convoy steamed west of the Gilbert Islands. Early in the morning, Japanese reconnaissance planes had spotted the Americans and had managed to report their position before being shot down. By early afternoon, a wave of nine Mitsubishi 96 bombers attacked, and the on-duty American squadron destroyed all but one of them and returned to the carrier for refueling and servicing. But, without warning, another wave of nine enemy planes appeared on the horizon. O’Hare, then on reserve duty, had the only available plane, and he took off alone in his Grumman Wildcat fighter. At 12,000 feet, he engaged the Japanese in aerial dogfights, shooting down five enemy planes and severely crippling a sixth. The action transpired in less than five minutes and within sight of his cheering comrades. When he returned to the Lexington, he apologized for not downing the other: “After the last encounter, I had but ten rounds of ammunition left and my guns jammed!’

O’Hare commanding officer, Lt. Comm. John S. Thach ( right), gongratulates O’Hare after his moment of destiny. U.S. Navy Photograph.

Word of Butch O’Hare’s feat made its way back to America a few days later, and the reaction was instantaneous. The tall bashful flyer became a national hero. He returned to the United States several weeks later, and on April 21,1942, with his wife and his mother at his side, he was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor by President Franklin Roosevelt. Roosevelt‘s citation stated that, “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!’

Roosvelt promoted O’Hare from lieutenant junior grade to lieutenant senior grade. Almost inaudibly told the president, “That is very nice, thank you very much.”

President Franklin D. Roosvelt awards o’ Hare the Congresional Medal of Honor on April 21, 1942, while his wife Rita looks on. Chicago-Sun-Times.

Butch O’Hare seemed uncomfortable as a war hero. On April 26, 1942, he returned home to St. Louis. After a huge welcome at Lambert Airport, he rode in parade past 60,000 wildly cheering St. Louisans who turned out despite the rain to native son. Mayor William Dee Williams awarded him the key to the city and a navigator’s gold chronograph. O’Hare helped of many war bond drives, noting, : Just give us enough trained men, enough ships to approach even terms, and we’ll come out on top”

Despite all that had happened, the war was just beginning for Butch O’Hare. After a brief leave, to his squadron, and on August 31, 1943, he led repeated air raids against enemy installations on Marcus Island. With what navy officials would later term “courageous disregard for his own personal safety” he led his squadron in destroying all grounded aircraft and most of the defensive installations. For this he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.

Five weeks later, Butch O’Hare was once more in the news. While flying near Wake Island with his unit, Fighting Squadron 6, he sighted three Japanese aircraft. He shot down one himself and aided in hitting the other two. O’Hare then swooped down on the enemy’s runway, and while dodging anti-aircraft fire, destroyed two grounded aircraft and an approaching bomber. This action earned him the Gold Star and further headlines back home.

Illustration By Mario Demarco. U.S. Navy photographer

To be continued.

Source:

CHICAGO HISTORY

The Magazine of the Chicago Historical Society, Fall and Winter 1988- 89. Volume XVII, Number 3 and 4

YESTERDAY’S CITY BY PERRY R. DUIS

Part I

https://polishnews.com/historia-history/chicago-history/4379-yesterday-s-city-by-perry-r-duis