Years of service 1941-1942 Awards Navy Cross Rank Ensign Battles and wars World War II | Name John Butler Died June 4, 1942 | |
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Born February 2, 1921
Liberty, Arizona ( 1921-02-02 ) Battles/wars World War II
*Battle of Midway | ||
Service/branch United States Navy Allegiance United States of America | ||
John Clarence Butler (1921–1942) was a United States Navy officer and naval aviator who had a role in World War II's Battle of Midway. He was awarded the Navy Cross posthumously.
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Biography
Butler was born in Liberty, Arizona to Walter and Irene Butler. After high school, he attended the University of California at Los Angeles and San Diego State University. He enlisted in the United States Naval Reserve on February 19, 1941, qualified for flight training, and was appointed as an Aviation Cadet on April 3.
After flight training, he reported to Second Division of Bombing Squadron Three on board aircraft carrier Yorktown (CV-5). On 4 June 1942, Butler and his squadron attacked a Japanese task force during the Battle of Midway, and succeeded in sinking three aircraft carriers. When Bulter's squadron returned to the Yorktown (CV-5) that night, his plane was not among them; his body was never recovered.
For his part in this attack, Butler was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross.
Legacy
In 1943, the destroyer escort USS John C. Butler (DE-339) was named in his honor.
The people of Buckeye also sought to memorialize Butler's contributions to the war effort. The Buckeye Municipal Airport named its airfield the "John C. Butler Memorial Field" in his honor. In addition, Buckeye's American Legion Hazelton-Butler Post No. 53 was named for him.
Awards and decorations
John Clarence Butler 's awards and decorations include: