Show I U U U. S. S Navy Flier Gets Highest Heros Hero's Award Nation Can Bestow I T I 4 4 4 4 t t i b c i I t o 4 a Associated Press fress BRIDE DRAPES DECORATION AROUND A VIATO AVIATORS AVIATOR'S RS R'S NECK AS PRESIDENT SHAKES IllS HIS HAND President Roosevelt seated Secretary of Navy Frank Knox Kno left Admiral Ernest Ernet J. J King Ring Mrs Edward H. H O'Hare and Lieutenant Lieutenant Lieutenant Lieu Lieu- tenant Comm Commander ander O'Hare T F D DR R Decorates Aviator For Heroism in Pacific Congressional Medal Goes Goes' to Flier W. W Who p D F Five Jap Planes in Daring Defense e of Carrier Carri rf WASHINGTON April 21 INS INS IS President Roosevelt Tuesday Tuesday Tues Tues- day de decorated decorate Lieutenant Edward H H. Butch O'Hare with the congressional medal of honor for one of th the most daring if not the most daring single singie action in the history of combat avia- avia avia- avia tion I performed when he knocked out five and possibly I six Jap planes in a raid off the Gilbert islands on February 20 The president also promoted the modest young navy pilot to the rank of lieutenant commander for his daring feat Highest Officials Present In the presence of Secretary of the Navy Knox Admiral Ernest Ernestr J. J r King and other navy officials O'Hare stepped up to the president president president dent to receive the highest award which the United States can confer confer confer con con- fer upon a military or naval nava hero After notifying O'Hare of his promotion from junior lieutenant to lieutenant commander the president smilingly beckoned to Mrs O O'Hare Hare the aviators aviator's pretty wife to step forward and hang the congressional medal around hr r husbands husband's neck Standing at rigid attention 28 year-old year O'Hare shook hands with the president and thanked him for forthe forthe forthe the coveted decoration The text of the citation read by the president follows follow's Conspicuous Gallantry For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in aerial combat at gra grave ve risk of his life beyond the call of duty as section leader and pilot of fighting squadron 3 when on February 20 1942 having lost the assistance of his teammates he interposed his plane between his ship and advancing enemy formation of nine attacking twin- twin heavy bombers Without hesitation alone and Unaided he repeatedly attacked this enemy formation at close range in th the face of their intense combined machine gun and cannon fire and despite the concentrated opposition he by his gallant and courageous action his extremely skillful marksmanship making the most of every shot of his limited amount of ammunition shot down five enemy bombers and severely damaged a sixth before they reached the bomb release point As a r result sult of his his' gallant action action action ac ac- ac- ac tion 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 |