⚔️📍 Pacific Ocean, near Rabaul1942
Edward 'Butch' O'Hare Becomes First U.S. WWII Ace
Navy Lieutenant Edward O'Hare single-handedly attacked a formation of nine Japanese bombers threatening the carrier USS Lexington, shooting down five and damaging a sixth to save his ship. He accomplished the feat in less than four minutes.
O'Hare's action earned the Medal of Honor and provided an American hero in the grim early months of the Pacific War; Chicago's O'Hare Airport is named in his honor.
Outcome
USS Lexington saved; O'Hare awarded Medal of Honor