Warren E Thompson describes the exploits of some of the American Wildcat ‘aces’, including three Medal of Honor holders
Men Behind the Wildcat
Butch’ and his wingman took off from the deck of the USS Lexington, knowing they were the carrier’s last line of aerial defence. The ‘flat top’ and its escorts had been spotted by an enemy flying boat on February 20, 1942 as they made their way to carry out a strike at Rabaul in Papua New Guinea. The position and course of the task force was reported and the Japanese rushed to engage the ships long before they reached their objective.
Two F4F Wildcats had been on standing patrol when the Kawanishi H6K4 Mavis was spotted. It was shot down immediately, but not before its vital message had been transmitted.
Both sides had taken a mauling in the first clash and the men of the task force assessed the damage, the carrier’s radar plotted a second wave - three ‘vics’ of three bombers heading for the fleet.
‘Ace’ in a day
Lt Edward H ‘Butch’ O’Hare and Lt Marion W ‘Duff ’ Dufilho, were first away from the Lexington. They were flying F4F-3s of VF-3, famed for its adoption of the cartoon character ‘Felix the Cat’ clutching a bomb for its squadr…
