“First Flying Ace, Lt. Edward O'Hare, “ and “John Glenn’s First Orbital Flight” - This Day in History – Feb 20th

O’Hare – From first flying ace to namesake airport

Back in 1942, Lt. Edward O'Hare took off from the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Lexington. O'Hare flew a raid against the Japanese position at Rabaul and became America’s first flying ace. 

According to history.com, “As the Lexington left Bougainville, the largest of the Solomon Islands in the South Pacific (and still free from Japanese control), for Rabaul, ship radar picked up Japanese bombers headed straight for the carrier. O'Hare and his team went into action, piloting F4F Wildcats. In a mere four minutes, O'Hare shot down five Japanese G4M1 Betty bombers--bringing a swift end to the Japanese attack and earning O'Hare the designation "ace" (given to any pilot who had five or more downed enemy planes to his credit).  Although the Lexington blew back the Japanese bombers, the element of surprise was gone, and the attempt to raid Rabaul was aborted for the time being. O'Hare was awarded the Medal of Honor for his bravery--and excellent aim.” 

Mr. O’Hare died at the age of 29 during a flight near the Gilbert Islands.

Special note: O'Hare International Airport In Chicago is named after Mr. O’Hare.

John Glen Orbits the Earth

Back in 1962, American Astronaut John Glenn made history by making the first orbital flight in the Friendship 7 spacecraft from Cape Canaveral, FL.  Mr. Glenn was a U.S. Marine Corps lieutenant colonel with National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

History.com stated that, “During Friendship 7's first orbit, Glenn noticed what he described as small, glowing fireflies drifting by the capsule's tiny window. It was some time later that NASA mission control determined that the sparks were crystallized water vapor released by the capsule's air-conditioning system. Before the end of the first orbit, a more serious problem occurred when Friendship 7's automatic control system began to malfunction, sending the capsule into erratic movements. At the end of the orbit, Glenn switched to manual control and regained command of the craft.” 

This space vessel now has a permanent home in which space enthusiasts can visit.  According to time.com, “Friendship 7 is at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C., today. It's encased in a plastic shell so you can't touch the heat shield, but you can see it up close -- still scarred with the sunburst-like rays that speak to the hellfire it felt in 1962.”

All History facts provided from the link below:

http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/fire-engulfs-nightclub-during-great-white-show?catId=13