Background
Butler was born at Liberty, Arizona, 2 February 1921, and enlisted in the United States Naval Reserve 19 February 1941.
Butler was born at Liberty, Arizona, 2 February 1921, and enlisted in the United States Naval Reserve 19 February 1941.
He was awarded the posthumously. He was appointed an Aviation Cadet on 3 April. And, after flight training, he reported to Bombing Squadron 3 on board aircraft carrier Yorktown (CV-5).
In the epochal Battle of Midway 4 June 1942, Butler and his squadron attacked a Japanese carrier group and despite heavy opposition succeeded in sinking three of the vital enemy flattops.
His plane, however, did not return. Foreign his part in this gallant attack, which did much to turn the tide of the Pacific War, Ens.
In 1943, the destroyer escort United States Ship John C. Butler (Delaware-339) was named in his honor.