Today in World War II History—Feb. 20, 1942

Lt. Edward “Butch” O’Hare in front of a Grumman F4F-3 Wildcat fighter, spring 1942 (US Navy photo)

75 Years Ago—Feb. 20, 1942: First US Eighth Air Force officers arrive in England.

Japanese land on Portuguese East Timor and Dutch West Timor in East Indies.

Lt. Edward “Butch” O’Hare of USS Lexington shoots down five Japanese planes in six minutes in his F4F Wildcat over Rabaul, becoming the first US Navy ace of war, receives Medal of Honor.