Medal of Honor: John E. Butts – Normandy, June 14–23, 1944

John Edward Butts

Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army
Conflict: World War II
Unit: Company E, 60th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division
Date of Action: June 14, 16, and 23, 1944
Location: Normandy, France

Summary of Action:
In the hedgerows of Normandy, as American forces pushed inland after D-Day, Second Lieutenant John E. Butts of the 9th Infantry Division became a symbol of unyielding courage and sacrifice.

On June 14, near Orglandes, Butts was wounded while leading his platoon against German forces. He refused medical attention. Two days later, while spearheading an assault across the Douve River to establish a critical bridgehead, he was wounded again—but still he stayed with his men, pressing forward through the blood and chaos.

Then came June 23 near Flottemanville-Hague. Before them rose a heavily defended hill bristling with tanks, pillboxes, and machine guns—fortified by artillery and mortars. The hill had to fall, and Butts knew it. At the front of his platoon, he was critically wounded a third time as the assault began.

But that didn’t stop him. Instead, Butts ordered one squad to maneuver and flank the enemy while he—alone—advanced directly into the fire. Bleeding and crawling, inch by inch, he continued his one-man assault until he was cut down just 10 yards from the German strongpoint.

His selfless diversion allowed his men to take the hill and carry the day. The 9th Infantry Division’s advance in Normandy would continue—but never without remembering the young lieutenant who led from the front until the very end.

Medal of Honor Citation:
Heroically led his platoon against the enemy in Normandy, France, on 14, 16, and 23 June 1944.

Although painfully wounded on the 14th near Orglandes and again on the 16th while spearheading an attack to establish a bridgehead across the Douve River, he refused medical aid and remained with his platoon.

A week later, near Flottemanville-Hague, he led an assault on a tactically important and stubbornly defended hill studded with tanks, antitank guns, pillboxes, and machinegun emplacements, and protected by concentrated artillery and mortar fire.

As the attack was launched, 2d Lt. Butts, at the head of his platoon, was critically wounded by German machinegun fire. Although weakened by his injuries, he rallied his men and directed one squad to make a flanking movement while he alone made a frontal assault to draw the hostile fire upon himself.

Once more he was struck, but by grim determination and sheer courage continued to crawl ahead. When within 10 yards of his objective, he was killed by direct fire.

By his superb courage, unflinching valor, and inspiring actions, 2d Lt. Butts enabled his platoon to take a formidable strongpoint and contributed greatly to the success of his battalion’s mission.