The slow escort carriers launched all planes to attack the Japanese cruisers and battleships, and John C. Butler and her sisters laid heavy smoke to confuse enemy batteries. While commanding this force, he performed poorly during the Bermuda Hundred campaign, allowing Confederate general P.G.T. After rescuing survivors from St. In April 1899, 1stLt Butler was assigned to duty with the Marine Battalion at Manila, Philippine Islands. ), John C. Butler, starboard side, in camouflage, Boston, Mass., 29 May 1944. The two-hour Battle off Samar which followed has taken a rightful place among the most memorable actions in naval history. Two islands wanted as advance bases for the long-awaited move into the Philippines, Morotai and Peleliu, were stormed on 15 September; and John C. Butler provided anti-submarine and anti-aircraft protection for the supporting carriers. John C. Butler remained at Long Beach through September 1957. DD-636 General Specifications. From 1927 to 1929, Butler was Commander of the Marine Expeditionary Force in China. From October-December 1952, John C. Butler conducted various exercises in the operating area off San Diego. At the outbreak of the Civil War, Butler played an important role because he and the 8th Massachusetts were some of the first troops to reach Washington DC, protecting the capital in case Maryland seceded. As the invasion fleet moved through Philippines waters, enemy aircraft spotted the group. After a short dry dock period, the escort ship moored at Berth 129 in Los Angeles Harbor. Maj Butler "was eminent and conspicuous in command of his Battalion. The escort ship got underway for Pearl Harbor at 1625 on 7 April 1953. Draft: 11 feet 10 in. On 25 May, bombs from a kamikaze exploded under Butler's keel, killing fourteen men, blowing out steam lines, and flooding the forward fire room, causing the loss of all steam and electric power. The USS General H. W. Butner (AP-113), a troopship that served with the United States Navy in World War II and the Korean War, was launched by the Federal Shipbuilding & Drydock Company of Kearny, New Jersey, on 19 September 1943 under Maritime Commission contract for the Army. On 11 January 1942, Saratoga steamed some 400 miles southwest of Oahu to join carrier Enterprise (CV-6), when at 1915 a torpedo fired by Japanese submarine I-6 (Lt. Cmdr. Butler and his fellow VB-3 pilots landed on board Enterprise to refuel and rearm. Ens. A week later, the escort ship stood out for Balboa, Canal Zone, entering the area on 25 June. Paul Thurman Butler Collection (AFC/2001/001/58079), Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress. Pace received the Silver Star medal for his actions on 20 May 1945. Receiving an assignment to carrier Saratoga (CV-3), arriving in port at San Diego, Butler flew one of the 43 Douglas SBD Dauntless dive bombers attached to Saratogas Scouting Squadron Three (VS-3) and Bombing Squadron Three (VB-3). On 5 January 1953, she steamed for Acapulco, Mexico, arriving three days later. After their attack, the SBD-3 pilots withdrew to the northeast. John C. Butler stood out for Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on 1 September 1952. The best he could do was to operate his racket in three districts. Mopping up operations continued until the end of the month. From late February-late March, she conducted operations in the San Diego area, before getting underway again for Ensenada on 29 March. The USS John C. Butler requires 2190000 Credits and USS Pettit with 1490000 XP to unlock. On 18 April 1942, during the Doolittle Raid Butler piloted aircraft an SBD-3 Dauntless flying off USSEnterprise, searching for any forward deployed Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) ships that could radio back to Japan to give warning of the raiders. On 26 June, she briefly moored at Coco Solo Naval Station before standing out at 1334 in company with TU 31.1.9, en route to Havana, Cuba. During the ensuing Battle off Samar on 25 October 1944, Taffy 3 began the morning conducting battle stations per regular morning alert at 0532. Sign up to receive the latest information on the American Battlefield Trust's efforts to blaze The Liberty Trail in South Carolina. Butlers dive-bomber squadrons temporary duty to The Big E ended, and VB-3 received a transfer from Saratoga (then underway from the west coast to Hawaii) to Yorktown, replacing Scouting Five. (U.S. Navy Bureau of Ships Photograph BS-70488, National Archives and Records Administration, Still Pictures Division, College Park, Md. At 0920 on 18 December, her crew assembled on the fantail for decommissioning ceremonies. Arriving at Pearl on 15 December, she refueled and received assignment to Rear Admiral Frank Jack Fletchers Task Force (TF) 14. Creation Date: Unknown. During his next session of combat, Butler proved his legendary abilities; as well as his disdain for war. While repairs were ongoing, orders finally arrived for the escort ship to join TU 77.4.3, consisting of Kitkun Bay, Shamrock Bay, and OFlaherty. Following a brief period of instruction at Washington, D.C., he served with the Marine Battalion, North Atlantic Squadron, until 11 February 1899, when he was ordered home and honorably discharged on 16 February 1899. In December 1909, he commanded the 3d Battalion, 1st Regiment on the Isthmus of Panama. Some 50 years later that trophy was presented to the Marine Corps for permanent custody. 113) 1946 at Smai China." The text on the back reads, "U.S.S. Two weeks later, she moved to Pier Three, before getting underway on 30 June for San Diego via Long Beach. After remaining moored at Long Beach until 30 September 1955, John C. Butler made way for San Pedro, entering Dry dock Number One at Todd Shipyard. John C. Butler was the lead ship of her class of destroyer escorts, the last class to be designed and built during World War II. Butner made one more voyage before the end of the Pacific war, redeploying troops from the European Theater. After a convoy run to Marseilles in October, Butler returned to New York on 27 October for conversion to a high-speed minesweeper. In addition to reserve cruises, she took part in the training program of Fleet Sonar School, San Diego. The escort carriers of Taffy 3, hidden in heavy smoke laid down by John C. Butler and other escort ships, managed to launch all aircraft. Alerted by radio warning of Japanese aircraft in the vicinity, crewmembers manned their battle stations. She arrived in the United States on 26 August and was decommissioned on 8 November 1945. Note her camouflage is now a two-colored scheme, with the dividing line parallel to the horizon and not the sheer of the hull. He was elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives in 1853, and then to the Senate of theCommonwealthin 1859. On 6 November, she stood out alongside Diachenko (APD-123), Begor (APD-127), and Norton Sound (AVM-1), for exercises in the operation area off Southern Ca., returning to her homeport on 16 November. Following training, in 1898 Butler was sent to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba after it had been captured. He first saw action at the battle of Big Bethel, where he was defeated. Carries about 4,000 troops. She was recommissioned between 1950 and 1957 and finally sunk as a target in 1971. However, in 1899 Butler was commissioned as a First Lieutenant, and a long and legendary career in the Marine Corps began. John C. Butler then departed Pearl Harbor on 9 August screening transports bound for the invasion of the Palau Islands. The next day, an Eastern TBM-3 Avenger (BuNo 22880) from VC-91 off Kitkun Bay crashed into the sea. Arriving at Oahu on 5 September at 1138, she conducted operations off Hilo (Kuhio Bay) on 8 September. The kamikazes bomb exploded on the port side of the flight deck, setting off a series of secondary explosions leading to her sinking. Federal Identification Number (EIN): 54-1426643. On 5 July, the escort ship made a port visit to Lima, Peru, before arriving in the Canal Zone two days later. Benjamin Butler graduated from Colby College in Maine in 1838, and was admitted to the Massachusetts Bar in 1840, where he established a large criminal practice. She spent the rest of the year moored in her homeport. The dive-bomber pilots eventually discovered Hiry, the fourth and only surviving enemy carrier. The reservists trained in his rank or rating, stood watches, repaired and maintained equipment, conducted ship handling exercises, and learned antisubmarine and antiaircraft warfare maneuvers before returning to Long Beach on 23 November. After seeing them safely to Tulagi, the ship operated with escort carriers out of Manus Island on pre-invasion strikes. This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. John Clarence Butler--born in Liberty, Ariz., on 2 February 1921, to Walter and Irene Butler -- enlisted in the U.S. Throughout the night, the Marines held their position until at daybreak they charged the superior enemy force which fled. Stay up-to-date on our FREE educational resources & professional development opportunities, all designed to support your work teaching American history. It was during this time that Butler would gain many of his enemies. During World War I, he commanded the 13th Regiment in France. General H. W. Butner was launched by the Federal Shipbuilding & Drydock Company of Kearny, New Jersey, 19 September 1943 under Maritime Commission contract for the Army; acquired by the Navy 5 December 1943; placed in ferry commission the same day for transfer to the Maryland Drydock Company of Baltimore, for conversion to a troop transport; and However, much to the angst of his father, just 38 days before turning 17, Butler dropped out of High School to enlist in the Marine Corps during the Spanish-American War. With 300 Marines under his charge, he set out for the little town of Noveleta to quell a group of Filipino rebels. Once in New Orleans, he was appointed as military governor, and commanded the city in rather controversial ways. Butlers wingman, Lt. Though the escort carriers lost one of their number and three escorts, their valiant fight had stopped the Japanese from attacking the transports in Leyte Gulf. Making way for Long Beach, she moored at Net Pier on 2 February. Butler was launched on 12 February 1942 by Philadelphia Navy Yard, sponsored by Mrs. John Wehle, daughter of General Butler; and commissioned on 15 August 1942, Lieutenant Commander M. D. Matthews in command. After escort carrier St. John C. Butler got underway on 4 October 1953, for Ensenada, Mexico. He was wounded in that battle on 13 July 1900. Adm. Ofsties two escort carriers with John C. Butler and her three sister destroyer-escorts, formed a part of Taffy 3, augmenting Adm. Spragues flagship Fanshaw Bay and three other escort carriers guarded by destroyers Hoel (DD-533), Heerman (DD-532), and Johnston (DD-557). Unable to land back on board Yorktown due to a successful attack by aircraft from carrier Hiry (scoring three bomb hits), Ens. Departing Pearl on 9 August 1944, John C. Butler screened transports with the Third Fleet, bound for the invasion of the Palau Islands. Known as The Banana Wars, they were a series of conflicts spanning 30 years in Central America and the Caribbean. This vessel participated in the European and Pacific theaters of operations during the second World War. Butler was shot in the thigh when he climbed out of a trench to save a fellow officer who had been wounded. Reporting for active duty at the Naval Reserve Aviation Base at Long Beach, Butler transferred to Naval Air Station (NAS), Pensacola, Fl., on 27 March. She was redesignated T-AP-113 in October 1949. Suddenly, six kamikazes roared in amongst the group, with John C. Butler shooting down three, while two turned back, leaving one pilot to climb 6,000 feet into the air before diving straight down into Adm. Ofsties flagship Kitkun Bay. They then. On 3 April, after termination of his enlisted service, he accepted an appointment as an aviation cadet in the Naval Reserve. On 14 January 1943, she departed on a trans-Atlantic voyage to Casablanca and thence to Dakar, French West Africa. USS General H. W. Butner (AP-113) was a troop transport that served with the United States Navy in World War II and the Korean War. She was sold for scrapping on 10 January 1948. Butler - Transported to Chine - 1946. On 5 December 1944, she made way at 0709 to screen carriers in TU 12.5.2, including Kitkun Bay, escort carrier Steamer Bay (CVE-87), and escort ship Edmonds (DE-406). USS Butler , a Gleaves-class destroyer, is the only ship of the United States Navy to be named for Marine Corps Major General Smedley Butler, twice awarded the Medal of Honor. After conducting operations and training exercises, she returned to her homeport. USS General H. W. Butner (AP-113) at anchor in 1952.jpg 2,758 1,806; 2.39 MB USS General H. W. Butner APA-113.jpg 818 326; 51 KB USS General H.W. Six days later, she stood out en route for Long Beach. Maxwell F. Max Leslie, commanding) off Yorktown at 1106, seeking to destroy the Japanese carriers. U.S. After a short liberty visit, she returned stateside, arriving on 5 March. Butler found the US consul hiding under the consulate floor boards and rescued him. By November only the rebel mountain stronghold of Fort Riviere remained. Upon completion of extensive training in the Hawaiian area, she sailed to Ulithi and then conducted a pre-invasion sweep around Okinawa. During the month of March, John C. Butler participated in antisubmarine drills. Major General Butler received Distinguished Service Medals from both the Army and the Navy in recognition of his service in France during World War I. After changing course, Cmdr. She again fought off a severe air attack on 21 February. Namesake [ edit] John Clarence Butler was born on 2 February 1921 in Liberty, Arizona. Butler was launched on 12 February 1942 by Philadelphia Navy Yard, sponsored by Mrs. John Wehle, daughter of General Butler; and commissioned on 15 August 1942, Lieutenant Commander M. D. Matthews in command . One marine was injured, and all 51 Haitians were killed. Taffy 1 included four escort carriers and seven escorts under Rear Adm. Thomas L. Sprague, operating to the southward, just off northern Mindanao Island. Sailing via the Panama Canal, she arrived Pearl Harbor on 26 June and engaged in convoy and training operations in July. In October, leading a patrol of 44 mounted Marines, they were ambushed by over 400 Cacos fighters. The entry can be found here. With about 100 men Butler led his Marines through asmall hole in a wall of the Fort. Yorktown arrived off Midway on 2 June 1942, meeting up with TF 16 (including carriers Enterprise and Hornet), under Rear Admiral Raymond A. Spruance, and immediately sending aircraft to search for the enemy ships. Context The Battle of Midway (47 June 1942) set in motion after a scouting U.S. Navy PBY aircraft reported sighting an enemy carrier task force on the morning of 4 June. In February 1926, he assumed command of the Marine Corps Base at San Diego, California. Displacement: 1630 tons. Butler and radioman-gunner ARM3c David Berg. Complement: 16 Officers and 260 Enlisted. In 1915, the Haitians decided it was their turn to revolt. One marine was injured, and all 51 Haitians were killed. This law drew great controversy in both the North and South, caused Confederate president Jefferson Davis to label Butler anoutlaw, and earned him the nickname Beast Butler. He was removed from this position in December of 1862, and given command of the Department of Virginia and North Carolina in November of 1863, which would become known as the Army of the James. His first Medal of Honor was presented following action at Vera Cruz, Mexico, 21-22 April 1914, where he commanded the Marines who landed and occupied the city. Butner (T-AP-113) passing under the Golden Gate Bridge c1951.jpg 877 652; 469 KB Work crew on USS General H.W. Butlers medal noted: His gallant intrepidity and loyal devotion to the accomplishment of a vastly important objective contributed in large measure to the success achieved by our forces and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service., (DE-339): displacement 1,350 tons; length 306'; beam 36'8", draft 9'5"; speed 24 knots; complement 186; armament 2 5-inch, 4 40-millimeter, 10 20-millimeter, 8 depth charge projectors, 2 depth charge stern racks, 1 depth charge projector (hedgehog), 3 21-inch torpedo tubes; class John C. Butler). While Enterprise and Hornet released their air groups at 0910 to find the Japanese carriers, Adm. Fletcher held Yorktowns back. Despite the loss of Butler and the others, the surviving pilots and crewmembers of VB-3 exacted vengeance for Yorktown and their lost comrades, while Hiry became the fourth Japanese carrier sunk that day. Destroyers Johnston, Hoel, and Heermann, and DE Samuel B. Roberts made close-in attacks on cruisers and battleships, forcing them to zig-zag, while aircraft made continuous attacks. Underway from the shipyard on 3 January at 0838, John C. Butler commenced sea trials before proceeding to her homeport. College of Distance Education and Training (CDET), Active Duty Command Sponsored Corporals Course, Reserve Command Sponsored Corporals Course, Research and Sponsored Projects Policy and Procedure, Brute Krulak Center for Innovation & Future Warfare, How Do We Learn? Lester E. G. Setser, her commanding officer, ordered the colors and commissioning pennant hauled down. Bureau of Ships Photograph BS-70488, National Archives and Records Administration, Still Pictures Division, Park! 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