John Clarence Butler
| John Clarence Butler | |
|---|---|
.jpg)
Butler circa 1941, at about the time he finished flight training. US Navy photo.
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| Born |
February 2, 1921 Liberty, Arizona |
| Died | June 4, 1942 (aged 21) KIA near Midway Island |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/ |
United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1941-1942 |
| Rank | Ensign |
| Battles/wars |
World War II *Battle of Midway |
| Awards | Navy Cross |
John Clarence Butler (1921–1942) was a United States Navy officer and naval aviator who had a role in World War II's Battle of Midway. He was awarded the Navy Cross posthumously.
Butler was born in Liberty, Arizona to Walter and Irene Butler. After high school, he attended the University of California at Los Angeles and San Diego State University. He enlisted in the United States Naval Reserve on February 19, 1941, qualified for flight training, and was appointed as an Aviation Cadet on April 3.
After flight training, he reported to Second Division of Bombing Squadron Three on board aircraft carrier Yorktown (CV-5). On 4 June 1942, Butler and his squadron attacked a Japanese task force during the Battle of Midway, and succeeded in sinking three aircraft carriers. When Bulter's squadron returned to the Yorktown (CV-5) that night, his plane was not among them; his body was never recovered.
For his part in this attack, Butler was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross.
In 1943, the destroyer escort USS John C. Butler (DE-339) was named in his honor.
The people of Buckeye also sought to memorialize Butler's contributions to the war effort. The Buckeye Municipal Airport named its airfield the "John C. Butler Memorial Field" in his honor. In addition, Buckeye's American Legion Hazelton-Butler Post No. 53 was named for him.
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