Medal of Honor: John E. Butts – World War II – June 14, 16, and 23, 1944

Name: John E. Butts
Rank: Second Lieutenant
Branch: U.S. Army
War: 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

During the Normandy campaign of June 1944, Second Lieutenant John E. Butts repeatedly demonstrated extraordinary courage while leading his platoon in combat against German forces.

On 14 June near Orglandes, France, he was wounded while directing his men during heavy fighting. Despite his injuries, he refused medical treatment and remained with his platoon.

Two days later, while leading an attack to establish a bridgehead across the Douve River, he was wounded again.

Once more, he refused evacuation and continued leading his soldiers through the difficult fighting that characterized the Allied advance across the Normandy peninsula.

On 23 June, near Flottemanville-Hague, his platoon was assigned the task of capturing a heavily defended hill that dominated the surrounding terrain.

The position was protected by tanks, antitank guns, pillboxes, machine-gun emplacements, artillery, and mortar fire.

As the attack began, Lieutenant Butts led his platoon at the front.

Almost immediately, German machine-gun fire critically wounded him.

Despite his wounds and increasing weakness, he continued directing the attack and realized that the only chance for success was to divert enemy fire away from his men.

He ordered one squad to execute a flanking movement while he alone launched a frontal assault against the German positions.

Advancing directly into concentrated enemy fire, he drew the attention of the defenders and enabled his soldiers to maneuver against the strongpoint.

He was struck again but refused to stop.

Through determination and extraordinary courage, he continued crawling toward the enemy position.

When he had reached within approximately ten yards of the objective, he was killed by direct enemy fire.

His sacrifice enabled his platoon to capture the position and contributed significantly to the success of his battalion's mission in Normandy.

Second Lieutenant John E. Butts' courage, leadership, and complete devotion to his men reflected the highest traditions of the United States Army.

Medal of Honor Citation

BUTTS, JOHN E.

Rank and organization: Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army, Company E, 60th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division.

Place and date: Normandy, France, 14, 16, and 23 June 1944.

Entered service at: Buffalo, New York.

Birth: Medina, New York.

G.O. No.: 58, 19 July 1945.

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 machine-gun emplacements, and protected by concentrated artillery and mortar fire. As the attack was launched, 2nd Lieutenant Butts, at the head of his platoon, was critically wounded by German machine-gun 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 ten yards of his objective, he was killed by direct fire. By his superb courage, unflinching valor, and inspiring actions, 2nd Lieutenant Butts enabled his platoon to take a formidable strongpoint and contributed greatly to the success of his battalion's mission.