John E. Butts

John Edward Butts (August 4, 1922 – June 23, 1944) was a United States Army second lieutenant and rifle platoon leader who received the Medal of Honor posthumously for his actions above and beyond the call of duty during the Normandy Campaign in World War II.

Butts was one of five brothers to serve in the war and the only one to be killed in action.

Biography

Butts was born on August 4, 1920, in Medina, New York. He was one of six sons of Jerry and Anna (Hogan) Butts. He attended Medina High School where he played football.

He joined the National Guard in Medina at age 17, in 1939. He began National Guard training at Fort McClellan in Alabama in October 1940. After training, he was assigned to F Company, 2nd Battalion, 108th Infantry. In February 1942, he was sent to Hawaii. He returned to the United States in November to attend Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, Georgia. He was commissioned a second lieutenant on November 29, at age 19.

He requested overseas duty and participated in the North Africa Campaign. Afterwards, he was part of the invasion of Sicily where he was decorated for bravery.

His military decorations and awards include: alt=A metal device depicting a blue bar with a rifle, in front of a wreath of silver leaves.

Medal of Honor Bronze Star Medal Purple Heart with two Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters Army Good Conduct Medal American Defense Service Medal American Campaign Medal European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medalwith four 3/16" bronze stars World War II Victory Medal French Croix de Guerre with Palm Fort Benning, Georgia, and Fort Dix, NJ, In 1954, the James P. Clark American Legion Post #204 in Medina, New York, changed its name to the Butts-Clark American Legion Post #204. In 1957, the Army airfield at Fort Carson, Colorado, was named the Butts Army Airfield. In 1980, Medina dedicated a village park, the John E Butts Memorial Park.