- John Clarence Butler
Infobox Military Person
name= John Clarence Butler
born= birth date|1921|2|2
died= death date and age|1942|6|4|1921|2|2
placeofbirth=Liberty, Arizona
placeofdeath= KIA nearMidway Island
caption= John Clarence Butler
nickname=
allegiance= United States of America
branch=United States Navy
serviceyears= 1941-1942
rank= Ensign
commands=
unit=
battles=World War II *Battle of Midway
awards=Navy Cross
laterwork=John Clarence Butler (
2 February 1921 -4 June 1942 ) was aUnited States Navy officer andNaval aviator who was killed in action in theWorld War II Battle of Midway . He was awarded theNavy Cross posthumously.Butler was born at Liberty,
Arizona ,2 February 1921 , and enlisted in theUnited States Naval Reserve 19 February 1941 . He was appointed an Aviation Cadet on3 April ; and, after flight training, he reported toBombing Squadron 3 on boardaircraft carrier "Yorktown" (CV-5).In the epochal
Battle of Midway 4 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.For his part in this gallant attack, which did much to turn the tide of the
Pacific War , Ens. Butler was awarded theNavy 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."Namesake
In 1943, the
destroyer escort USS "John C. Butler" (DE-339) was named in his honor.ee also
References
:DANFS
* [http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/j3/john_c_butler.htm USS "John C. Butler"] , "Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships", Naval Historical Center, Department of the Navy.
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.