The President of the United States
in the name of The Congress
takes pleasure in presenting the
Medal of Honor
to
O'HARE, EDWARD HENRY
Rank and organization:
Lieutenant, U.S. Navy. Born: 13 March 1914, St. Louis, Mo. Entered service at:
St. Louis, Mo. Other Navy awards: Navy Cross, Distinguished Flying Cross with 1
gold star.
Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in aerial combat, at grave risk
of his life above and beyond the call of duty, as section leader and pilot of Fighting
Squadron 3 on 20 February 1942. Having lost the assistance of his teammates, Lt. O'Hare
interposed his plane between his ship and an advancing enemy formation of 9 attacking
twin-engine heavy bombers. Without hesitation, alone and unaided, he repeatedly attacked
this enemy formation, at close range in the face of intense combined machinegun and cannon
fire. Despite this concentrated opposition, Lt. O'Hare, by his gallant and courageous
action, his extremely skillful marksmanship in making the most of every shot of his
limited amount of ammunition, shot down 5 enemy bombers and severely damaged a sixth
before they reached the bomb release point. 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.
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