*BUTTS, JOHN E.
Rank and organization: Second Lieutenant,
U.S. Army, Co. E, 60th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division. Place and date: Normandy,
France, 14, 16, and 23 June 1944. Entered service at: Buffalo, N.Y. Birth:
Medina, N.Y. 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 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 1 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 strong point and contributed greatly to the success of his battalion's mission.
