John Clarence Butler Military person

John Clarence Butler (2 February 1921 - 4 June 1942) was a United States Navy officer and Naval aviator who was killed in action in the World War II Battle of Midway. He was awarded the Navy Cross posthumously.Butler was born at Liberty, Arizona, 2 February 1921, and enlisted in the United States Naval Reserve 19 February 1941. He was appointed an Aviation Cadet on 3 April; and, after flight training, he reported to Bombing Squadron 3 on board aircraft 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 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."

Personal facts

Birth dateFebruary 02, 1921
Birth place
Liberty Arizona
Date of deathJune 04, 1942
Place of death
Killed in action

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Military person

allegianceUnited States of America
award
Navy Cross
military operations
Battle of Midway
World War II
military branch
United States Navy
service start1941
service end1942

John Clarence Butler on Wikipedia

External resources

  1. http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/j3/john_c_butler.htm