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Fateful Rendezvous: The Life of Butch O'Hare
Perhaps the most famous aviator of World War II, Butch O'Hare captured America's hearts and headlines in 1942 after saving the carrier Lexington in what has been called the most daring single action in the history of combat aviation - the downing of five attacking Japanese bombers. Yet the untimely and still controversial death of this Medal of Honor recipient the next year cast a shadow over O'Hare's legacy.
This first full biography, written with the O'Hare family's cooperation and utilizing recently released Japanese war records, chronicles the short but eventful life of the American hero and sheds new light on his mysterious death. Seasoned naval aviation historians, the authors describe in fascinating detail O'Hare's awe-inspiring feats of aerial combat and his key role in developing tactics such as the Thach Weave and the night-fighting techniques that helped defeat the Japanese.
This first full biography, written with the O'Hare family's cooperation and utilizing recently released Japanese war records, chronicles the short but eventful life of the American hero and sheds new light on his mysterious death. Seasoned naval aviation historians, the authors describe in fascinating detail O'Hare's awe-inspiring feats of aerial combat and his key role in developing tactics such as the Thach Weave and the night-fighting techniques that helped defeat the Japanese.
358 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 1997
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
June 3, 2024
Butch O’Hare’s humility and heroics are worth knowing, though this candid yet exhaustively detailed volume would be most valuable for anyone with an interest in naval aviation that extends beyond just Ray-Bans and beach volleyball
if you aren’t fascinated the intricacies of aerial battle at sea, you’re probably better served by perusing Butch’s Wikipedia page. the rest of you can join me in reading about CAP and antisub patrols, “the blizzard of 5-inch VT Mark 32 proximity-fuze shells from the battleships”, and “the 2,000-hp Pratt & Whitney R-2800-10 Double Wasp” in the Grumman XF6F-3 that LCDR O’Hare flew during his final mission
if you aren’t fascinated the intricacies of aerial battle at sea, you’re probably better served by perusing Butch’s Wikipedia page. the rest of you can join me in reading about CAP and antisub patrols, “the blizzard of 5-inch VT Mark 32 proximity-fuze shells from the battleships”, and “the 2,000-hp Pratt & Whitney R-2800-10 Double Wasp” in the Grumman XF6F-3 that LCDR O’Hare flew during his final mission
March 15, 2015
I had never heard of Lt. Comdr. Edward "Butch" O'Hare until the mechanic who was fixing our car told us about him.
On Feb 20, 1942 Butch O'Hare became one of America's heroes when he shot down five attacking Japanese bombers and severely damaged a sixth to save his carrier, the USS Lexington for which action he was awarded the Medal of Honor.
In November 1943, the Americans landed in the Gilberts and carriers were covering the landings. Butch who was on board the USS Enterprise personally organized and voluntarily led the first night-fighter section of aircraft (two sections of three planes - dubbed the 'Black Panthers') to operate from a carrier, at night against enemy aircraft. On the night of Nov 26, 1943, when the Enterprise was under threat of attack by Japanese aircraft, he took off with the Black Panthers "which with unswerving devotion to duty and extraordinary skill, intercepted the largest group of enemy aircraft, thereby effectively breaking up that phase of the attack and destroying two Japanese planes.... From this action Lieutenant Commander O'Hare failed to return."
Lt. Comdr. John Phillips who flew with Butch on that fateful night, wrote to Rita (Butch's wife) on Dec 15, 1943: "His loss will be mourned by the entire country, the Navy and particularly by all the men in his air group. Butch was admired by everyone from the admirals to the messboys for his skill, courage and daring as a fighter pilot. He was loved by all he came in contact with for his fairness, his consideration and his desire to help younger and less experienced men."
Butch O'Hare was awarded the Medal of Honor, and posthumously was recommended for a second Medal of Honor, but instead was given the second highest decoration for gallantry, the Navy Cross, and Distinguished Flying Cross with gold star and a Purple Heart.
Perhaps the greatest single tribute to Butch was the naming of what was to become one of the world's greatest airports, Chicago O'Hare International. Although Butch was born and raised in St. Louis, his father E.J. O'Hare lived and worked in Chicago during the '30s, was connected through business with notorious gangster Al Capone, helped to put him in prison in 1931 and in 1939 subsequently became the victim of a driveby shooting. You'll have to read the book to find out the how and why...
The writing style is less than intriguing, but Mr. Ewing and Mr. Lundstrom are aviation historians, not writers; the facts are there and that's what matters.
On Feb 20, 1942 Butch O'Hare became one of America's heroes when he shot down five attacking Japanese bombers and severely damaged a sixth to save his carrier, the USS Lexington for which action he was awarded the Medal of Honor.
In November 1943, the Americans landed in the Gilberts and carriers were covering the landings. Butch who was on board the USS Enterprise personally organized and voluntarily led the first night-fighter section of aircraft (two sections of three planes - dubbed the 'Black Panthers') to operate from a carrier, at night against enemy aircraft. On the night of Nov 26, 1943, when the Enterprise was under threat of attack by Japanese aircraft, he took off with the Black Panthers "which with unswerving devotion to duty and extraordinary skill, intercepted the largest group of enemy aircraft, thereby effectively breaking up that phase of the attack and destroying two Japanese planes.... From this action Lieutenant Commander O'Hare failed to return."
Lt. Comdr. John Phillips who flew with Butch on that fateful night, wrote to Rita (Butch's wife) on Dec 15, 1943: "His loss will be mourned by the entire country, the Navy and particularly by all the men in his air group. Butch was admired by everyone from the admirals to the messboys for his skill, courage and daring as a fighter pilot. He was loved by all he came in contact with for his fairness, his consideration and his desire to help younger and less experienced men."
Butch O'Hare was awarded the Medal of Honor, and posthumously was recommended for a second Medal of Honor, but instead was given the second highest decoration for gallantry, the Navy Cross, and Distinguished Flying Cross with gold star and a Purple Heart.
Perhaps the greatest single tribute to Butch was the naming of what was to become one of the world's greatest airports, Chicago O'Hare International. Although Butch was born and raised in St. Louis, his father E.J. O'Hare lived and worked in Chicago during the '30s, was connected through business with notorious gangster Al Capone, helped to put him in prison in 1931 and in 1939 subsequently became the victim of a driveby shooting. You'll have to read the book to find out the how and why...
The writing style is less than intriguing, but Mr. Ewing and Mr. Lundstrom are aviation historians, not writers; the facts are there and that's what matters.
February 13, 2025
So interesting to learn about the man that O'Hare airport is named after. I wish the book wasn't choppy and sometimes disjointed. It was hard for me to follow the various battles when every time a plane is introduced, even if a bit player in the battle, we also learn the pilot's name, his rank, when/where he graduated, etc. Planes are "a Nakajima E8N1 Type 95 reconnaissance seaplane (Dave)." In one particular battle, I was really confused and re-read it until I finally looked up one of the planes involved and realized it had a three-man crew. That is a time where it would have been helpful to name everyone on the plane right from the beginning. I realize that there are many armchair war historians that will understand and even relish such detail, but it took some of the fun out of the story for me.
Anyway, I enjoyed learning about the hero, Butch O'Hare. And learning about his father, who helped take down Al Capone. (Did you know there was a connection there? This is why we read books!)
Anyway, I enjoyed learning about the hero, Butch O'Hare. And learning about his father, who helped take down Al Capone. (Did you know there was a connection there? This is why we read books!)
January 18, 2009
Lucid, involving descriptions of air combat and a loving look at the Naval hero for whom Chicago's O'Hare Airport is named make this an interesting read, but it skims too lightly over his father's connection to Al Capone and how it affected the family.
January 24, 2013
I can think of no better author to address the career and fateful demise of legendary aviator, Butch O'Hare. His treatment of tragic friendly fire episode that cut short a leading aviator was very well done and needed to be researched accurately to set the record straight.
May 12, 2012
The definitive story of the life of Butch O'Hare, naval ace and hero.
August 25, 2023
Butch O'Hare was an extraordinary individual as well as an excellent Navy pilot who earned the Medal of Honor for shooting down 5 planes in one dogfight early in WWII. He became a national hero and seemed to be admired and respected by his fellow pilots. His exploits during the war made him such a hero that an airport in Chicago was renamed after him. I would have rated the book with one more star but it seemed to drag during a fairly long section towards the end between his fight where he earned his medal and the period shortly before his mysterious death in late 1943. This period was when he was returned to the states and trained new pilots. I think it could have been shortened and the book would still tell the same story and flow more easily. Having said this, I am glad to have learned more about this brave man and recommend it to anyone who would like to see how he became the hero he did.
June 15, 2020
very interesting read. It was very detailed and sometimes I was lost in the detail, however, it was an excellent account of his life and the battles in the air. Before reading this I knew nothing about the man the Chicago airport was named for. Now I feel I know him intimately. Great author, made it alive.
January 28, 2018
Outstanding book about a great American hero. Required reading for Chicago residents.
May 1, 2020
A simply Wonderful Read....
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews