For his actions that day, Butler was one of only two Marines to be awarded the Medal of Honor twice. Disengaging, Butler noticed the smaller craft belching oil and smoke, estimating it later sank. Operating alongside Weeden (DE-797), the two escort ships departed Callao on the Fourth of July for Manzanillo, Mexico. The Battle of Midway (47 June 1942) set in motion after a scouting U.S. Navy PBY aircraft reported sighting an enemy carrier task force on the morning of 4 June. There he ascertained the strength of the Mexican Army and returned with the necessary information for a US military invasion. After spending the next two weeks at her homeport undergoing small repairs, John C. Butler stood out on 27 July for Vancouver, arriving two days later at 1538. He traveled to Mexico City incognito as a railroad employee. Lo shot one of the enemy planes down, a second managed to sneak through and crash into her flight deck. From April to 31 October he again commanded the Marine Barracks at Quantico. John C. Butler took on board 130 St. USS Butler (DD-636), a Gleaves-class destroyer, is the only ship of the United States Navy to be named for Marine Corps Major General Smedley Butler, twice awarded the Medal of Honor. With Enterprise arriving too late to participate in the Battle of the Coral Sea (48 May 1942), she returned to Hawaii on 26 May. In August of 1861, Butler led a successful amphibious assault on the Hatteras Inlet in North Carolina, and moved onto New Orleans in May, after the city had already surrendered to Admiral David G. Farragut. Nearly a week later, on 9 October, tugs escorted her to Dry dock Number Two, Todd Shipyard, San Pedro. Maj Butler "was eminent and conspicuous in command of his Battalion. Nine bombs from VB-3 and VB-6 struck Hiry, with four of the 1,000-pounders being direct hits. Ens. John C. Butler returned to Fleet Sonar School, San Diego, on 5 May 1954. ), DANFS - Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, Permitting Policy and Resource Management, The 9/11 Terrorist Attacks: 20 Years Later, "Ex Scientia Tridens": The U.S. The entry can be found here. USS Butler (DD-636), a Gleaves -class destroyer, is the only ship of the United States Navy to be named for Marine Corps Major General Smedley Butler, twice awarded the Medal of Honor . Butner (T-AP-113) passing under the Golden Gate Bridge c1951.jpg 877 652; 469 KB Work crew on USS General H.W. After conducting operations and training exercises, she returned to her homeport. He was one of only 20 marines to receive the Marine Corps Brevet Medal when it was created in 1921. USS General H.W. He was appointed a major general on May 16, 1861, being one of the first appointed by President Abraham Lincoln. Despite the loss of Butler and the others, the surviving pilots and crewmembers of VB-3 exacted vengeance for Yorktown and their lost comrades, while Hiry became the fourth Japanese carrier sunk that day. Remaining on the station for over a month, the crew of John C. Butler sprang into action on 20 May 1945. Pace received the Silver Star medal for his actions on 20 May 1945. Yorktown arrived off Midway on 2 June 1942, meeting up with TF 16 (including carriers Enterprise and Hornet), under Rear Admiral Raymond A. Spruance, and immediately sending aircraft to search for the enemy ships. VB-6 aircraft attacked first, missing the ship with several bombs. The dive-bomber pilots eventually discovered Hiry, the fourth and only surviving enemy carrier. When he returned to the United States in 1919, he became Commanding General of the Marine Barracks, Quantico, Virginia, and served in this capacity until January 1924, when he was granted leave of absence to accept the post of Director of Public Safety of the City of Philadelphia. She took part in the Amphibious Battle of Gela and subsequently served on escort duty throughout the remainder of the operation. Fearing the approach of a large warlord army toward Peking, he re-postured his men into a lightly armed but highly mobile force in anticipation of having to strike out to Peking and rescue any Americans trapped in the city. After a port visit in Havana, John C. Butler made way for Cristobal, C.Z., on 5 July. The escort carriers of Taffy 3, hidden in heavy smoke laid down by John C. Butler and other escort ships, managed to launch all aircraft. The escort vessel sailed with Rear Admiral Ralph A. Ofstie's escort carrier group on 12 October to provide air cover for the massive movement of transports into Leyte Gulf. From 1415 February, John C. Butler stood out for Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico. Her commanding officer, Lt. Cmdr. At 1705 on 12 December 1944, Edmonds reported a sound contact, making a three depth-charge attack at 1722. With his first taste of combat, Butler established himself as a capable leader. Saratoga and the task force quickly made way for Wake Island the following day. During the scouting mission, he engaged a 125 feet (38m) long Japanese patrol boat towing a smaller boat "painted white". Alerted by radio warning of Japanese aircraft in the vicinity, crewmembers manned their battle stations. A day later, she arrived at Rodman Naval Station, Balboa. John C. Butler remained in port during the month of December. While touring the country speaking against war, one of the nations finest warriors had this to say about it: I spent 33 years and four months in active military service and during that period I spent most of my time as a high-class muscle man for Big Business, for Wall Street and the bankers. Underway from the shipyard on 3 January at 0838, John C. Butler commenced sea trials before proceeding to her homeport. Rear Admiral Clifton A. F. Sprague, commander of Taffy 3, later described the next surprising development: "At 0925 my mind was occupied with dodging torpedoes when near the bridge I heard one of the signalmen yell, ' dammit, boys, they're getting away!' Soon after this first attack, John C. Butler turned from the carriers to launch her remaining torpedoes, then exchanged gunfire with a heavy cruiser. Six days later, on 17 April, she made way for Long Beach, arriving at 0721. Naval Reserve as a seaman second class on 19 February 1941, at the age of. Eight to 10 enemy kamikazes, including Mitsubishi A6M Zeros (Zekes) and Nakajima Ki-43 Hayabusas (Oscars), approached the escort ship intent on destroying it. On the evening of 8 January 1945, John C. Butler and other escorts shot several kamikazes down. She reported seeing an unidentified shiny black object surface and then submerge on her port quarter after her third attack. He was still in his teens when, on 20 May 1898, he was appointed a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps during the Spanish-American War. Recalled on 23 December (the same day Wake fell to the Japanese), the task force returned to Pearl four days later before putting out for Midway Island to conduct patrol duties on 31 December. She sailed from Marseilles 7 July, via the Panama Canal, for Ulithi and Eniwetok, finally arriving Okinawa 1 September. (j.g.) He remained on duty in Nicaragua until November 1912, when he rejoined the Marines at Camp Elliott, Panama. She again fought off a severe air attack on 21 February. After shakedown training, John C. Butler received assignment to the supervision of the Commandant of the Eleventh Naval District for training naval reserves at sea. The veteran DE took part in rehearsals in the Marianas, and arrived off Iwo Jima on 19 February with an escort carrier group. Class: Gleaves-class destroyer. Making way for Long Beach, she moored at Net Pier on 2 February. The text on the front reads, "U.S.S. Soon after this first attack, John C. Butler turned from the carriers to launch against the enemy, before exchanging gunfire with a heavy cruiser. Butlers medal 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., (DE-339): displacement 1,350 tons; length 306'; beam 36'8", draft 9'5"; speed 24 knots; complement 186; armament 2 5-inch, 4 40-millimeter, 10 20-millimeter, 8 depth charge projectors, 2 depth charge stern racks, 1 depth charge projector (hedgehog), 3 21-inch torpedo tubes; class John C. Butler). Mopping up operations continued until the end of the month. Both ships proceeded to conduct a box search, but discontinued after ordered to rejoin the formation. She continued screen and picket duty, splashing many planes, throughout the assault on Okinawa (24 March 25 May 1945). Steaming to San Pedro, Calif., on 23 November 1945, she underwent inactivation overhaul before ordered placed out of commission on 26 June 1946, assigned to the San Diego Group of the Pacific Reserve Fleet. In 1900 Butler was about to leave the Philippines for Guam when he was redirected to China. USS Butler (DD-636) view on board, looking aft toward the ship's forward 5"/38 guns and . Butler received flight training at Pensacola from 4 April-29July 1941, and reported to the Naval Air Station, Miami, Fl., for further instruction (1 August). In February 1926, he assumed command of the Marine Corps Base at San Diego, California. Steaming through the Panama Canal on 11 June, she arrived at Pearl Harbor on 26 June, engaging in convoy and training operations throughout July. Namesake [ edit] John Clarence Butler was born on 2 February 1921 in Liberty, Arizona. Last edited on 16 December 2022, at 07:53, Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, Describing shipborn radar units of the United States, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=USS_John_C._Butler&oldid=1127716586, This page was last edited on 16 December 2022, at 07:53. John C. Butlers gunners managed to shoot down four Zekes and one Oscar. They fought the Cacos in a short, intense hand-to-hand combat. The escort ship underwent a routine overhaul from 1 October 19553 January 1956. Maxwell F. Max Leslie, commanding) off Yorktown at 1106, seeking to destroy the Japanese carriers. The carriers bomber squadron, VB-3, land-based until the spring of 1942, reported for temporary duty to Enterprise, due to heavy losses suffered by VS-6 in early raids against Japanese targets. An intense training and underway schedule began during the first week of June 1955. From 2025 August, the escort ship got underway for Honolulu, arriving at 0915 on 26 August. Originally built as USS Admiral E.W. He was wounded in that battle on 13 July 1900. Scouting Six aircraft attacked first, missing the enemy ship with several bombs. Following shakedown, she was assigned to 11th Naval District for the job of training naval reservists on short sea cruises. Pace received a report that a Japanese fleet steamed only 15 miles away. USS Butler (DD-636), a Gleaves-class destroyer, is the only ship of the United States Navy to be named for Marine Corps Major General Smedley Butler, twice awarded the Medal of Honor. Mooring at Honolulu on 2 April, the crew enjoyed four days of liberty before getting underway at 0820 on 6 April. After conducting shakedown training off Bermuda (23 April-18 May 1944), the new escort ship departed Hampton Roads on 5 June for the Pacific. VB-3 received a transfer from Saratoga to USSYorktown which left Pearl Harbor on 30 May to intercept the IJN carrier force headed for Midway Island. He led his Marines from one battle to the next. 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