
The President of the United States
in the name of
The Congress
takes pleasure in presenting the
Medal of Honor
to
BUTTON, WILLIAM ROBERT
Rank and organization: Corporal, U.S. Marine
Corps. Entered service at: St. Louis, Mo. Born: 3 December 1895, St.
Louis, Mo. G.O. No.: 536, 10 June 1920.
Citation:
For extraordinary heroism and
conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in actual conflict with the enemy near Grande
Riviere, Republic of Haiti, on the night of 31 October - l November 1919, resulting in the
death of Charlemagne Peralte, the supreme bandit chief in the Republic of Haiti, and the
killing, capture and dispersal of about 1,200 of his outlaw followers. Cpl. William R.
Button not only distinguished himself by his excellent judgment and leadership but also
unhesitatingly exposed himself to great personal danger when the slightest error would
have forfeited not only his life but the lives of the detachments of Gendarmerie under his
command. The successful termination of his mission will undoubtedly prove of untold value
to the Republic of Haiti.
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