Edward "Butch" O'Hare: Introduction (01:15)

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O'Hare's father secured his son a congressional appointment when he turned state's evidence against Capone; Capone's henchmen killed him. O'Hare shot down five Japanese bombers in four minutes, earning the Congressional Medal of Honor.

O'Hare's Early Years (03:50)

O'Hare was born in 1914 in St. Louis, MI. He attended Western Military Academy, his parents divorced, and he and his father moved to Chicago; his father did business with Al Capone. O'Hare decided to apply to Annapolis.

U.S. Naval Academy (03:27)

O'Hare's father turned state's evidence against Capone in exchange for his son's ability to enter Annapolis. O'Hare graduated, was assigned to the U.S.S. New Mexico, and attended flight training in Pensacola; his father was murdered.

Preparing for War (03:25)

O'Hare trained on a succession of planes, graduated flight school, and was assigned to VF-3; John Thach became his mentor. The VF-3 was assigned to the U.S.S. Enterprise. O'Hare met his future wife in San Diego.

Combat Mission (04:39)

O'Hare and the VF-3 were assigned to the U.S.S. Lexington which came under attack in Japanese waters. O'Hare shot down five Japanese bombers in four minutes, earning the Congressional Medal of Honor.

Return to Combat (03:04)

O'Hare toured the U.S. selling war bonds, returning to combat in late 1943. O'Hare focused on tactical development that would work best with radar.

O'Hare's Death (03:06)

In November 1943, O'Hare and the VF-6 engaged Japanese bombers during a night mission. A burst from a bomber killed O'Hare. After WWII, Chicago city planners extended the air field and renamed it O'Hare Airport.

Credits: Legends of Air Power: Edward "Butch" O'Hare (00:31)

Credits: Legends of Air Power: Edward "Butch" O'Hare