There were many heroes who came out of World War II. Lieutenant Commander Butch O’Hare was one such man. He was a fighter pilot assigned to the aircraft carrier Lexington in the South Pacific. One day his squadron was sent on a mission. After he was airborne, he looked at his fuel gauge and realized that someone had forgotten to refuel his tank. He would not have enough fuel to complete his mission and get back to his ship. His flight leader told him to return to the carrier. O’hare dropped out of formation and headed back to the fleet. As he was returning to the ship he saw a squadron of Japanese aircraft making their way toward the American fleet. The American fighters were on their mission, so the fleet was defenseless. O’Hare couldn’t reach his squadron or warn the fleet of the approaching danger. Laying aside all thoughts of personal safety, he dove into the formation of Japanese planes. Wing-mounted 50 caliber’s blazed as he charged in, attacking one surprised enemy plane and then another. Butch wove in and out of the now broken formation and fired at as many planes as possible until all his ammunition was finally spent. Undaunted, he continued the assault. He dove at the planes, trying to clip a wing or tail in hopes of damaging as many enemy planes as possible and rendering them unfit to fly. Finally, the Japanese squadron took off in another direction. Deeply relieved, Butch O’Hare and his tattered fighter limped back to the carrier. Upon arrival he reported in and related the event surrounding his return. The film from the gun-camera mounted on his plane told the tale. It showed the extent of Butch’s daring attempt to protect his fleet. He had in fact destroyed five enemy aircraft. This took place on February 20, 1942, and for that action Butch became the Navy’s first Ace of WWII, and the first Naval Aviator to win the Congressional Medal of Honor. A year later Butch was killed in aerial combat at the age of 29. His home town would not allow the memory of this WW II hero to fade, and today, O’Hare Airport in Chicago is named in tribute to his courage. Butch O’Hare was one of the hundreds of thousands of men and women who have stood in the Gap between freedom and tyranny and have given their life for our freedom. Join us at First Baptist Church this Sunday as we talk about the need for men and women to stand in the Gap today!