Arthur H. Butler

Arthur Howard Butler (July 17, 1903 – April 24, 1972) was a highly decorated officer in the United States Marine Corps with the rank of major general. A veteran of World War II, he distinguished himself as commanding officer, 21st Marine Regiment during the Recapture of Guam in July 1944 and was decorated with the Navy Cross, one of the United States military's second-highest decorations awarded for valor in combat.

Early career

Arthur H. Butler was born on July 17, 1903, in Alexandria, Louisiana, as the son of Arthur and Cora Butler. His father was a Doctor of Medicine and veteran of World War I, where he served with Army Medical Corps as captain. Following the high school, young Arthur received appointment to the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland, and graduated four years later with bachelor's degree. During his time at the academy, Butler was active in football and wrestling.

The 21st Marines finally went ashore on November 6 and spent next few weeks of light fighting with no major action against Japanese forces. During the second week in December of that year, Butler took part in the Battle of Hellzapoppin Ridge and Hill 600A, where the regiment's primary task was to reduce these positions and drive the remaining Japanese east of the Torokina River. The thick jungle and narrow trails added to the Marines' difficulties as they attempted ro dislodge the enemy. The battle lasted until December 24 and Butler and his regiment finally embarked for Guadalcanal on January 9, 1944. For his service on Bougainville, Butler was decorated with the Legion of Merit with Combat "V".

He went ashore with the initial assault troops in the face of intense hostile mortar fire and moved forward to the base of the first captured high ground where, after a personal reconnaissance of the terrain, he launched an attack and seized the precipitous cliffs overlooking the entire beach area. When fanatical Japanese made repeated night attacks, culminating in a well-organized Banzai charge on the newly won positions, on the night of July 25–26, he exercised personal leadership of his troops, coordinated support fire and directed the movement of units to strengthen the lines. In the advance until July 28, Butler remained directly in the rear of advancing units and, by coordinating his Battalions, pushed through difficult terrain and successfully seized all objectives assigned to his command.

Butler remained with the 21st Marines until November 30, 1944, when he was relieved by his Naval Academy classmate, Hartnoll J. Withers and attached to the staff, 3rd Marine Division under Major General Graves B. Erskine as Operations and Planning Officer. He participated in the planning of divisional operations for Battle of Iwo Jima and took part in that operation in February–March 1945. Butler also received his second Legion of Merit for his part in Iwo Jima Campaign.

Later career General Butler (second from right) as Assistant Chief of Staff for Logistics during meeting with Commandant, Lemuel C. Shepherd Jr. Butler has been ordered back to the United States in May 1945 and joined the staff of Marine Corps Schools, Quantico under Brigadier General Oliver P. Smith. He served consecutively as coordinator of instruction, commander of the Platoon Commanders School, chief instructor of the Marine Corps Schools, intelligence officer and senior member of the Marine Corps Gazette editorial board, before he was transferred to Camp Pendleton, California, in June 1947.

Navy Cross citation Citation:

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Colonel Arthur H. Butler (MCSN: 0-4069), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism as Commanding Officer of the Twenty-First Marines, THIRD Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Guam, Marianas Islands, from 21 July to 10 August 1944. Landing with the initial assault troops in the face of intense hostile mortar fire, Colonel Butler moved forward to the base of the first captured high ground where, after a personal reconnaissance of the terrain, he launched an attack and seized the precipitous cliffs overlooking the entire beach area. When fanatical Japanese made repeated night attacks, culminating in a well-organized "Banzai" attack on the newly won positions, on the night of 25 - 26 July, he exercised personal leadership of his troops, coordinated support fire and directed the movement of units to strengthen the lines. In the advance until 28 July, Colonel Butler remained directly in the rear of advancing units and, by coordinating his Battalions, pushed through difficult terrain and successfully seized all objectives assigned to his command. By his outstanding professional skill, aggressive leadership and expert use of modern military tactics in the face of intense and continuous hostile gunfire, Colonel Butler was instrumental in effecting the recapture of Guam by our forces, thereby upholding the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.