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John Clarence Butler was born on 02 February 1921 at Liberty, Ariz., and enlisted in the Naval Reserve 19 February 1941. He was appointed Aviation Cadet 03 April; and, after
flight training, he reported to Bombing Squadron 3 on board carrier Yorktown. In the epochal Battle of Midway 04 June 1942, Butler and his squadron attacked a Japanese carrier
group and despite heavy opposition succeeded in sinking three of the vital enemy flattops. His plane, however, did not return. He was declared "lost in action" on 05 June 1942. For his part
in this gallant attack, which did much to turn the tide of the Pacific war, Ensign Butler was awarded the Navy Cross posthumously. In part the citation noted: "His gallant intrepidity and loyal
devotion to the accomplishment of a vastly important objective contributed in large measure to the success achieved by our forces and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United
States Naval Service."
USS John C. Butler (DE 339) (1944-1957) was the first ship to be named in his honor.
(photo from Phoenix DESA web site) |
Mike Smolinski
Clifton, N.J.
Archive Manager
DE / FF / LCS Archive
Navsource |
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12 November 1943: Orange, Tex. - The future USS John C. Butler slides down the building way into the Sabine River. |
Nick Tiberio
Shelton, Conn. |
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undated: USS John C. Butler (DE 339) being towed by the stern prior to final fitting out and application of Camouflage, MS32/1D camouflage scheme.
(U.S. Navy Photo #BS-70488 from the United States National Archives) |
Mike Green
Port Angeles, Wash. |
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29 May 1944: USS John C. Butler (DE 339), class leader, starboard side view at Boston. The ship is wearing MS32/11D camouflage scheme.
(U.S. Navy Photo #80-G-382868 (photo caption only) from the United States National Archives) |
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Undated Wartime Images |
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Undated Wartime Image
(U.S. Navy photo #80-G-382869 from the National Archives and Records Administration, College Park, Md.) |
Nick Tiberio
Shelton, Conn. |
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01 March 1945: Two views of USS John C. Butler (DE 339), operating west of Iwo Jima, coming alongside and transferring personnel from USS Sargent Bay
(CVE 83) for further transfer to the island itself.
(U.S. Navy Photo #80-G-264041 and #80-G-321517 from the United States National Archives) |
Mike Green
Port Angeles, Wash. |
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23 March 1945: Ulithi Atoll, the Caroline Islands - Detail view of stern racks and smoke tanks aboard USS John C. Butler (DE 339) at Ulithi. Butler is moored
starboard to starboard with USS Ringgold (DD 500) and tender USS Cascade (AD 16). Ulithi Atoll consists of 40 islets totalling 1.7 square miles, surrounding a lagoon about
22 miles long and up to 15 miles wide. At 212 square miles, Ulithi is one of the largest atolls in the world. It was the U.S. Navy's major staging area for the Western Pacific battles of 1944 and 1945.
(Photo from the Lt. Dwight Spayth collection, DD500) |
John Chiquoine
West Chester, Pa. |
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