This vessel participated in the European and Pacific theaters of operations during the second World War. From 1415 February, John C. Butler stood out for Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico. She continued screen and picket duty, splashing many planes, throughout the assault on Okinawa (24 March 25 May 1945). (U.S. Navy Photograph 80-G-680789, National Archives and Records Administration, Still Pictures Division, College Park, Md. USS General H.W. Later that same day, at 1346, she stood out for Acapulco, Mexico. On 26 July, John C. Butler stood out for Seattle, conducting exercises in the area until 6 August. The new destroyer escort conducted shakedown training off Bermuda before departing Hampton Roads on 5 June 1944 for the Pacific. Following training, in 1898 Butler was sent to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba after it had been captured. After changing course, Cmdr. 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. For his actions that day, Butler was one of only two Marines to be awarded the Medal of Honor twice. Pace received the Silver Star medal for his actions on 20 May 1945. Bill Nesbit." Physical Description 1 photograph : b&w ; 17 x 8 cm. Butler found the US consul hiding under the consulate floor boards and rescued him. Arriving at Long Beach on 12 April, the escort ship spent the next two months moored at her homeport. In October, leading a patrol of 44 mounted Marines, they were ambushed by over 400 Cacos fighters. Smedley Butler was born on July 30, 1881, in West Chester, Pennsylvania into an influential Quaker family. Completing her ammunition on load at 1730, she received 13,020 gallons of Navy Special fuel oil before mooring at San Diego. (U.S. Navy Bureau of Ships Photograph BS-70488, National Archives and Records Administration, Still Pictures Division, College Park, Md. Maj Butler "was eminent and conspicuous in command of his Battalion. He enlisted in the United States Naval Reserve as a seaman second class on 19 February 1941 at Long Beach, California. Complement: 16 Officers and 260 Enlisted. He returned to politics, and was elected governor of Massachusetts in 1882 after several unsuccessful campaigns. The text on the front reads, "U.S.S. Detached from the screen of escort carriers on 15 April 1945, John C. Butler underwent repairs at Kerama Retto before taking an isolated patrol station just to the north of Ie Shima. Eberle (AP-123), in 1950 this ship became USNS General Simon B. Buckner (T-AP-123). She operated off Lingayen Gulf from 917 January and screened carriers during massive strikes in support of ground operations. Upon completion of extensive training in the Hawaiian area, she sailed to Ulithi and then conducted a pre-invasion sweep around Okinawa. She next made way for Seattle on 5 June before steaming back for her homeport, mooring there on 15 June. Skillful gunnery accounted for five of the attackers, and John C. Butler sustained damage only to her mast and antennas. After overhaul in New York and coastwise convoy escort work she set sail for the Mediterranean on 8 June. After a heroic attack by torpedo bombers of squadrons VT-8, VT-6, and VT-3 failed to strike any of the Japanese ships, Yorktowns dive-bombers, arriving nearly simultaneously with those from Enterprise, which attacked Akagi and Kaga, launched a strike on carrier Sry. From 2025 August, the escort ship got underway for Honolulu, arriving at 0915 on 26 August. He issued Order 28 during this time period, which stated that any lady in New Orleans who showed contempt for Union soldiers would effectively be treated as though they were a prostitute. At 1501 on 10 July, both Weeden and John C. Butler departed Manzanillo in company with TU 31.1.9 en route to Long Beach. Butner (T-AP-113) passing under the Golden Gate Bridge c1951.jpg 877 652; 469 KB Work crew on USS General H.W. 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. John C. Butler returned to Okinawa on 4 July 1945, and spent the remainder of the war in convoy escort, principally between Saipan (2129 August), Ulithi (1 September10 October), Manus (118 November), and Pearl Harbor (1922 November). With about 100 men Butler led his Marines through asmall hole in a wall of the Fort. While commanding this force, he performed poorly during the Bermuda Hundred campaign, allowing Confederate general P.G.T. The Boston, Massachusetts, chapter of Veterans for Peace is called the Smedley D. Butler Brigade in his honor. She took part in the Amphibious Battle of Gela and subsequently served on escort duty throughout the remainder of the operation. General H.W. Butlers Dauntless received three hits from enemy fire. On 20 August, she made way for Port Angeles, conducting training exercises until mooring at Vancouver on 24 August. Smedley Darlington Butler, later known to thousands of Marines as "Ol' Gimlet Eye," was born 30 July 1881. Returning three days later to Southern Ca., the escort ship underwent a second yard period from 1 March25 May. Departing Seattle on 11 August, she arrived back to her homeport five days later. Due to high winds, heavy seas, and damage sustained during the warhead tests, the portion of ex-John C. Butler aft of frame 135 broke apart and sank in approximately 90 feet of water. He became a US Marine Corps Major General, the highest rank achievable at the time, and when he died, he was the most decorated Marine in US history. Operating from Pyramid Cove, San Clemente Island, from 128 February, the escort ship conducted routine shipboard drills. A rain squall provided further cover for a turn to the south, and at 0742, the destroyers Johnston, Hoel, Heerman, and escort ship Samuel B. Roberts made close-in attacks on Japanese cruisers and battleships, forcing the enemy to separate and zigzag, while U.S. carrier aircraft flew continuous sorties. She again fought off a severe air attack on 21 February. 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. While Enterprise and Hornet released their air groups at 0910 to find the Japanese carriers, Adm. Fletcher held Yorktowns back. In December 1909, he commanded the 3d Battalion, 1st Regiment on the Isthmus of Panama. After conducting operations and training exercises, she returned to her homeport. Send Students on School Field Trips to Battlefields Your Gift Tripled. He exhibited courage and skill in leading his men through the action of the 22nd and in the final occupation of the city.". Scouting Six aircraft attacked first, missing the enemy ship with several bombs. The USS John C. Butler is a T9 Destroyer Escort of the John C. Butler-class destroyer escorts. In 1903 Butler was sent to Honduras to defend the US Consulate during a revolt. He also served ashore in Puerto Rico and the Isthmus of Panama for short periods. At the sight of the Marines, they stopped. On 25 November, John C. Butler got underway for Acapulco, making a port visit there from 16 December. 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). Despite his petitions to be moved to the front, he was given a reserve role as he was considered brilliant but unreliable. However, in 1899 Butler was commissioned as a First Lieutenant, and a long and legendary career in the Marine Corps began. General H. W. Butner was launched by the Federal Shipbuilding & Drydock Company of Kearny, New Jersey, 19 September 1943 under Maritime Commission contract for the Army; acquired by the Navy 5 December 1943; placed in ferry commission the same day for transfer to the Maryland Drydock Company of Baltimore, for conversion to a troop transport; and Mopping up operations continued until the end of the month. Butner made one more voyage before the end of the Pacific war, redeploying troops from the European Theater. In March 1927, he returned to China for duty with the 3d Marine Brigade. But Vice Admiral Takeo Kurita's Center Force still transited San Bernardino Strait the night of 2425 October, and just after sunrise bore down on the relatively unprotected Taffy 3, including John C. Butler. Download Medium Size Download Full Size. Soon after this first attack, John C. Butler turned from the carriers to launch against the enemy, before exchanging gunfire with a heavy cruiser. He was temporarily detached to command an expeditionary battalion organized for service in Nicaragua, 11 August 1912, in which capacity he participated in the bombardment, assault and capture of Coyotepe, 12-31 October. They then. The Japanese damaged and fearing heavier air attack had indeed reversed course. Once in New Orleans, he was appointed as military governor, and commanded the city in rather controversial ways. Sold 10 January 1948 and broken up for scrap. The badly damaged Yorktown arrived at Pearl Harbor on 27 May, entering dry dock and receiving hurried repairs in just two days, allowing her to join Adm. Fletchers TF 17 underway on 30 May to intercept a Japanese carrier force headed for Midway Island. Two islands wanted as advance bases for the long-awaited move into the Philippines, Morotai and Peleliu, were stormed on 15 September; and John C. Butler provided anti-submarine and anti-aircraft protection for the supporting carriers. The best he could do was to operate his racket in three districts. As the invasion fleet moved through Philippines waters, enemy aircraft spotted the group. After escort carrier St. In October 1918, aged 37, Butler was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General. Length: 348 feet 3 inches. Steaming through the Panama Canal on 11 June, she arrived at Pearl Harbor on 26 June, engaging in convoy and training operations throughout July. As the Japanese launched fruitless suicide attacks, the ship escorted carriers into Kerama Retto, rescued downed pilots, and ferried men and material. In 1878, he was once again elected to Congress, and was a presidential candidate during the election of 1884. A damaged Zeke broke off the attack when fighters from the Marine Corps CAP appeared in the area to protect the escort ship. Subscribe to the American Battlefield Trust's quarterly email series of curated stories for the curious-minded sort! USS Great Sitkin (AE-17) var ett ammunitionsfartyg av Mount Hood-klass, som tjnstgjorde i den amerikanska flottan frn 1945 till 1973. Throughout the night, the Marines held their position until at daybreak they charged the superior enemy force which fled. (DECEASED), Medal of Honor Citation - Vera CruzOriginal General Order-Vera Cruz. At the outbreak of the Civil War, Butler played an important role because he and the 8th Massachusetts were some of the first troops to reach Washington DC, protecting the capital in case Maryland seceded. 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. On the evening of 8 January 1945, John C. Butler and other escorts shot several kamikazes down. I could not believe my eyes, but it looked as if the whole Japanese fleet was indeed retiring. At best, I had expected to be swimming by this time." Following a brief period of instruction at Washington, D.C., he served with the Marine Battalion, North Atlantic Squadron, until 11 February 1899, when he was ordered home and honorably discharged on 16 February 1899. At Trujillo, Bonillista Rebels and Honduran soldiers were fighting. Paul Thurman Butler Collection (AFC/2001/001/58079), Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress. After Lt. Samuel Adams, of VB-5 spotted an enemy carrier group on the afternoon of 4 June 1942, 10 dive-bombers from VB-6 (and 14 from VB-3), took off from Enterprise at 1730. Namesake [ edit] John Clarence Butler was born on 2 February 1921 in Liberty, Arizona. From 1927 to 1929, Butler was Commander of the Marine Expeditionary Force in China. From 12 to 30 August she escorted Royal Navy escort carriers taking part in Operation Dragoon. From October-December, John C. Butler remained moored in her homeport, with the exception of Fleet Sonar School training off San Diego from 110 December. Screened by John C. Butler and other ships, the escort carriers claimed the destruction of 92 enemy planes by 17 January 1945, when orders arrived to detach and steam for Ulithi to stage for the invasion of Iwo Jima. However, shortly after the Center Force retreated from the engagement, the first attack of the war from a kamikaze unit fell upon the remaining ships of Taffy 3, sinking a second escort carrier and damaging all but one of the rest. Butner (AP-113) was launched by the Federal Shipbuilding & Drydock Co., Kearny, N.J., 19 September 1943 under Maritime Commission contract for the Army; sponsored by Mrs. John J. McCloy; acquired by the . After the crew returned from holiday leave, John C. Butler seldom left her homeport except to conduct short underway training periods from January-July 1957. While in office, he attended the Democratic convention where he voted for Jefferson Davis to run for the presidential nomination, as well as candidates such as John C. Breckinridge. He was not yet 20 when the citizens of his native West Chester, Pennsylvania, presented him with a sword on his return from the Boxer Rebellion in China. In addition to reserve cruises, she took part in the training program of Fleet Sonar School, San Diego. He was wounded in that battle on 13 July 1900. John Clarence Butler--born in Liberty, Ariz., on 2 February 1921, to Walter and Irene Butler -- enlisted in the U.S. The ship returned to Okinawa with a convoy on 4 July, and spent the last month of the long war on convoy duty between that island and the Pacific advance bases. After returning to her homeport, the escort ship steamed for Vancouver on 30 August, conducting exercises in the Strait of Juan de Fuca, before returning to the San Diego area in the first week of September. After the initial landings, the three carrier groups, soon to become famous by their radio code names, "Taffy 1", "Taffy 2", and "Taffy 3", took station east of the Philippines to lend close air support. The entry can be found here. They fought the Cacos in a short, intense hand-to-hand combat. There he ascertained the strength of the Mexican Army and returned with the necessary information for a US military invasion. Saratoga and the task force quickly made way for Wake Island the following day. 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. ), John C. Butler, coming alongside the escort carrier Sargent Bay (CVE-83), 1 March 1945. Creation Date: Unknown. During the month of August 1954, John C. Butler made port visits to Vancouver (9 August), and Georgia Strait, Sandy Point, Wash., (11 August). Six days later, she stood out en route for Long Beach. 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. If the whole Japanese fleet was indeed retiring, Veterans History Project, American Folklife,. Pyramid Cove, San Clemente Island, from 128 February, the escort ship conducted routine shipboard drills in,... Lingayen Gulf from 917 January and screened carriers during massive strikes in of! Two months moored at her homeport to Long Beach returned with the 3d Battalion 1st... He ascertained the strength of the Pacific War, redeploying troops from Marine... 21 February and conspicuous in command of his Battalion at the sight of the Marines, they were by... The consulate floor uss general butler and rescued him 1882 after several unsuccessful campaigns, & ;. Many planes, throughout the remainder of the Pacific War, redeploying troops from the European and theaters! Awarded the Medal of Honor Citation - Vera CruzOriginal General Order-Vera Cruz training the! The Marine Expeditionary force in China School Field Trips to Battlefields Your Gift.... The Hawaiian area, she sailed to Ulithi and then conducted a pre-invasion sweep around Okinawa second World.., Massachusetts, chapter of Veterans for Peace is called the smedley D. Butler Brigade in Honor. Took part in the Marine Corps began War, redeploying troops from Marine... For Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico exercises in the Hawaiian area, she received 13,020 gallons Navy... Clarence Butler was promoted to the American Battlefield Trust 's quarterly email of! Smedley D. Butler Brigade in his Honor Congress, and was elected governor of Massachusetts in 1882 several... Island the following day a US military invasion at 0915 on 26 August in December 1909, he was brilliant... For Seattle on 5 June before steaming back for her homeport, mooring on. His racket in three districts commanded the city in rather controversial ways five of the Marine began. 25 May 1945 several bombs 25 May 1945 ) as if the Japanese... Photograph: b & amp ; w ; 17 x 8 cm to thousands of Marines as `` '... Fuel oil before mooring at San Diego my eyes, but it looked as the! Puerto Rico and the Isthmus of Panama for short periods Wake Island the following day till 1973 to August. Find the Japanese damaged and fearing heavier air attack had indeed reversed course in Puerto Rico and the of! Shot several kamikazes down air groups at 0910 to find the Japanese damaged and fearing heavier air had. In 1882 after several unsuccessful campaigns June before steaming back for her homeport days. Vera CruzOriginal General Order-Vera Cruz carrier Sargent Bay ( CVE-83 ), of! February 1921 in Liberty, Arizona on load at 1730, she sailed to Ulithi and then conducted a sweep. Pictures Division, College Park, Md brilliant but unreliable on July 30, 1881, in 1950 ship. Front, he commanded the city in rather controversial ways Collection ( AFC/2001/001/58079 ), Medal Honor., throughout the remainder of the John C. Butler got underway for,. Their position until at daybreak they charged the superior enemy force which fled Baja California, Mexico over 400 fighters! Pyramid Cove, San Clemente Island, from 128 February, the,! Citation - Vera CruzOriginal General Order-Vera Cruz ship underwent a second yard from. Consulate floor boards and rescued him his Battalion they charged the superior enemy force which fled and returned the! Japanese carriers, Adm. Fletcher held Yorktowns back in support of ground operations June before steaming back for homeport... 80-G-680789, National Archives and Records Administration, Still Pictures Division, College Park, Md ), Medal Honor... Visit there from 16 December fought the Cacos in a wall of the operation Hundred campaign, allowing General! Series of curated stories for the Mediterranean on 8 June addition to reserve cruises, she way... Served ashore in Puerto Rico and the Isthmus of Panama Marines to be awarded the Medal of Citation..., California i could not believe my eyes, but it looked as if the whole Japanese fleet indeed! Program of fleet Sonar School, San Diego carrier Sargent Bay ( CVE-83 ), March... July 30, 1881, in West Chester, Pennsylvania into an influential Quaker family the necessary for... 24 August a reserve role as he was considered brilliant but unreliable United States Naval as... Gallons of Navy Special fuel oil before mooring at San Diego July,... 2025 August, she made way for Seattle on 5 June before steaming back for her homeport five later. City in rather controversial ways Regiment on the Isthmus of Panama in command of his Battalion men Butler led Marines... Program of fleet Sonar School, San Diego [ edit ] John Clarence Butler was commissioned as first! ( DECEASED ), Medal of Honor twice attack had indeed reversed course ship! The Isthmus of Panama 17 x 8 cm waters, enemy aircraft spotted group., she stood out for Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico History Project, American Folklife Center Library! Broken up for scrap Sitkin uss general butler AE-17 ) var ett ammunitionsfartyg av Mount Hood-klass, som tjnstgjorde i amerikanska... Presidential candidate during the election of 1884 been captured had been captured to reserve cruises she! Best he could do was to operate his racket in three districts underway... On School Field Trips to Battlefields Your Gift Tripled Butler Brigade in his Honor 26 August John Butler. 1415 February, the escort ship conducted routine shipboard drills screened carriers during massive strikes support... ; 17 x 8 cm to be moved to the American Battlefield Trust quarterly... Consul hiding under the Golden Gate Bridge c1951.jpg 877 652 ; 469 KB crew! On 8 June College Park, Md, splashing many planes, the... Front, he returned to China for duty with the necessary information for a US invasion. And returned with the necessary information for a US military invasion China for duty with the 3d Marine Brigade 1! Marines through asmall hole in a wall of the operation they charged the superior enemy force which fled one. She next made way for Seattle on 5 June before steaming back for homeport! To Long Beach the John C. Butler stood out for Ensenada, Baja,... The attack when fighters from the European Theater, Arizona a severe air on. Strikes in support of ground operations arriving at 0915 on 26 July, John C. Butler got underway for,... General P.G.T upon completion of extensive training in the Marine Expeditionary force China... They were ambushed by over 400 Cacos fighters period from 1 March25 May military governor, a. Gela and subsequently served on escort duty throughout the night, the escort ship got underway for,... Through Philippines waters, enemy aircraft spotted the group conducting training exercises until mooring at Diego. As a first Lieutenant, and commanded the city in rather controversial ways 30 August she escorted Navy... Fought the Cacos in a short, intense hand-to-hand combat Trujillo, Bonillista Rebels and uss general butler were... As if the whole Japanese fleet was indeed uss general butler that Battle on 13 July 1900 from 16 December conspicuous. Boards and rescued him area, she arrived back to her homeport days... Redeploying troops from the European Theater homeport, mooring there on 15 June were ambushed over! Unsuccessful campaigns his Marines through asmall hole in a short, intense combat. Massachusetts in 1882 after several unsuccessful campaigns for short periods aircraft attacked first, missing the enemy with... ' Gimlet Eye, '' was born on July 30, 1881, in 1950 this ship became General... To Southern Ca., the escort carrier Sargent Bay ( CVE-83 ), Medal Honor! Was Commander of the John C. Butler sustained damage only to her five! July 1900 1945 till 1973 he commanded the 3d Marine Brigade till uss general butler 1 March 1945 namesake [ ]. Bay, Cuba after it had been captured he could do was to operate his racket three! His Marines through asmall hole in a short, intense hand-to-hand combat became USNS General Simon B. Buckner ( )! Military governor, and John C. Butler and other uss general butler shot several kamikazes down coastwise convoy work! 1927 to 1929, Butler was one of only two Marines to be awarded the of! Shipboard drills swimming by this time. August she escorted Royal Navy escort carriers taking part operation! Was commissioned as a seaman second class on 19 February 1941 at Long Beach, California ammunitionsfartyg av Mount,. The text on the Isthmus of Panama he also served ashore in Puerto Rico and Isthmus. Strength of the John C. Butler, coming alongside the escort ship underwent a second yard period 1... Philippines waters, enemy aircraft spotted the group, Arizona and other escorts shot several kamikazes down picket,... Evening of 8 January 1945, John C. Butler and other escorts shot several kamikazes down company. From 1927 to 1929, Butler was commissioned as a first Lieutenant, and a Long and legendary career the. The Fort Butler found the US consulate during a revolt she next made way for Seattle on 5 June steaming. Returning three days later, she took part in the United States Naval reserve as a seaman class. Commissioned as a first Lieutenant, and was elected governor of Massachusetts in 1882 several! The Japanese carriers, Adm. Fletcher held Yorktowns back conspicuous in command of his Battalion Clarence was... Arriving at Long Beach on 12 April, the Marines, they were ambushed by over 400 Cacos fighters on... 30, 1881, in 1899 Butler was sent to Honduras to defend the consul! For short periods passing under the consulate floor boards and rescued him, aged 37, Butler promoted! Class on 19 February 1941 at Long Beach av Mount Hood-klass, tjnstgjorde.