Who Is Edward O'Hare? Age, Biography and Wiki
Edward O'Hare was born on March 13, 1914, and tragically passed away on November 26, 1943. Known as a distinguished U.S. Navy fighter pilot, he earned the Medal of Honor for his extraordinary bravery during World War II. O'Hare is celebrated not only for his combat skills but also for his dedication to his country, making him a revered figure in American history.
In 2025, O'Hare's legacy lives on, with numerous memorials and honors commemorating his contributions to the military. His story serves as a timeless reminder of sacrifice, heroism, and service.
| Occupation | Cat |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | March 13, 1914 |
| Age | 29 Years |
| Birth Place | St. Louis, Missouri, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Pisces |
| Country | U.S |
| Date of death | 26 November, 1943 |
| Died Place | Near the Gilbert Islands |
Popularity
Edward O'Hare's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Edward O'Hare was an athletic individual, which complemented his career as a fighter pilot. Although specific height and weight details are not well-documented, he exemplified the physical fitness and discipline expected of servicemen in the armed forces during his era.
"[O'Hare] was a great swimmer and spearfisherman, and he insisted that the squadron swim with him. Swimming with Butch O'Hare meant that at eight o'clock in the morning, you swam out into the ocean off Maui; he would still be out there at three in the afternoon!
If he got hungry, Butch would roll over and dive, and the next thing you knew, he would come up with a fish of some sort. Then he'd just roll over and lie on his back like an otter and eat the thing raw! He really impressed us with that! One day, he came back to the surface with an octopus draped over his arm.
He said, 'Now, you have to learn how to kill these things, boys: you bite 'em right behind the eye.' And with that, he chomped down! The octopus has some sort of spinal cord there, and biting it there does kill it!
Then we had to go back to the beach where Butch would put these things in a frying pan with a little oil and some salt and stir them around. He enjoyed them, but they tasted like old rubber tires to me!" On March 2, 1943, O'Hare met Rita and hugged his one-month-old daughter, Kathleen, for the first time.
His family resided in Coronado at 549 Orange Avenue, near North Island NAS. At the end of March 1943, O'Hare made Ensign Alexander Vraciu, a young Naval Reservist just out of flight school, his wingman. On July 15, 1943, VF-3 swapped designations with VF-6 squadron.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
O'Hare came from a tight-knit family; however, there are limited details available about his personal life or relationships. Due to the era and the focus on his military achievements, discussions of a romantic partner or girlfriend during his lifetime remain scarce. His commitment to service often took precedence over personal relationships.
Louis, Missouri, the son of Selma Anna (Lauth) and Edward Joseph O'Hare. He was of Irish and German descent. Butch had two sisters, Patricia and Marilyn. When their parents divorced in 1927, Butch and his sisters stayed with their mother Selma in St. Louis while their father Edward moved to Chicago.
Butch's father was a lawyer who worked closely with Al Capone before turning against him and helping convict Capone of tax evasion.
Net Worth and Salary
While Edward O'Hare earned recognition and respect, specific details regarding his net worth and salary are not applicable as they would be for contemporary figures. As a military hero, his contributions were not financially motivated, but rather a commitment to serving his country. Therefore, discussions of monetary value would not appropriately reflect his legacy.
Career, Business and Investments
Edward O'Hare's remarkable career as a U.S. Navy fighter pilot is what defines his legacy. He is best known for his actions on February 20, 1942, during which he single-handedly attacked a formation of enemy bombers, showcasing incredible bravery and skill. His actions resulted in the destruction of several enemy planes and earned him the Medal of Honor posthumously.
While he did not partake in business ventures or investments typical of modern celebrities, O'Hare's contributions to the military have laid the groundwork for his enduring legacy, inspiring countless individuals in their pursuits of exemplary service.
O'Hare was not employed on combat duty from early 1942 until late 1943. Important events in this period included flying an F4F-3A Wildcat (BuNo 3986 "White F-13") as Lieutenant Commander 'Jimmy' Thach's wingman for publicity footage on April 11, 1942, the Medal of Honor presentation at the White House on April 21, and the welcome parade in O'Hare's hometown on Saturday, April 25, 1942.
Social Network
As a historical figure from the 1940s, Edward O'Hare did not engage in social networks in the way we see today. That said, his memory is honored through various military and historical platforms, with many commemorative pages and articles celebrating his life and achievements.
Colonel Robert R. McCormick, publisher of the Chicago Tribune, suggested that the name of Chicago's Orchard Depot Airport be changed as a tribute to O'Hare. On September 19, 1949, the airport was renamed O'Hare International Airport to honor O'Hare's bravery. The airport displays a Grumman F4F-3 like the one flown during the Medal of Honor action.
Education
O'Hare graduated from the University of Chicago, where he developed the skills and intellect that would serve him throughout his military career. His education played a crucial role in shaping his leadership abilities and tactical expertise as a pilot in the Navy.
O'Hare was on board the aircraft carrier Lexington, which had been assigned the task of penetrating enemy-held waters north of New Ireland. While still 450 mi from the harbor at Rabaul, at 10:15, the Lexington picked up an unknown aircraft on radar 35 mi from the ship.
A six-plane combat patrol was launched, two fighters being directed to investigate the contact. These two planes, under command of LCDR. John Thach, shot down a four-engined Kawanishi H6K4 Type 97 ("Mavis") flying boat about 43 mi out at 11:12.
Later two other planes of the combat patrol were sent to another radar contact 35 mi ahead, shooting down a second "Mavis" at 12:02. A third contact was made 80 mi out, but reversed course and disappeared. At 15:42 a jagged vee signal drew the attention of the Lexington's radar operator. The contact then was lost but reappeared at 16:25 47 mi west.
O'Hare, flying F4F Wildcat BuNo 4031 "White F-15", was one of several pilots launched to intercept nine Japanese Mitsubishi G4M "Betty" bombers from the 4th Kōkūtai's 2nd Chutai.
O'Hare's squadmates shot down eight bombers (with the ninth falling to an SBD later), but he and his wingman, Marion "Duff" Dufilho, were held back in the event of a second attack.
