Naval Aviator Hero Edward "Butch" O'Hare-- Part 2

Lt. O'Hare was flying solo support for the aircraft carrier USS Lexington along with its four cruiser and ten destroyer escort group on February 20, 1942, America's "Dark Days" of the war.

The rest of the Lexington's aircraft had just repulsed a Japanese bomber attack and were on the ship's deck refueling and rearming when a second squadron of nine Japanese bombers arrived on the scene.

This was the 28-year-old O'Hare's first action, and he immediately threw himself into the fray, knowing that if the bombers got through, the Lexington and its 1,700-man crew would certainly be lost.

Flying in a fighter, O'Hare had speed and maneuverability on his side, but he was heavily outgunned.

--GreGen