6,500nmi (12,000km; 7,500mi) at 12kn (22km/h; 14mph), This page was last edited on 7 November 2022, at 15:36. She spent the rest of the year moored in her homeport. The kamikazes bomb exploded on the port side of the flight deck, setting off a series of secondary explosions leading to her sinking. Butler; and commissioned on 31 March 1944, Lt. Cmdr. Soon after this first attack, John C. Butler turned from the carriers to launch her remaining torpedoes, then exchanged gunfire with a heavy cruiser. Benjamin Butler became one of the most disliked generals of the war, upsetting many on both sides of the conflict. (DECEASED), Medal of Honor Citation - Vera CruzOriginal General Order-Vera Cruz. Butler took part in occupations, police actions, and interventions on behalf of the US. MAJOR GENERAL Pace gave the order to open fire, and two of the suicide planes blew apart from ships gunfire before they had an opportunity to start diving on John C. Butler. Skillful gunnery accounted for five of the attackers, and John C. Butler sustained damage only to her mast and antennas. On the evening of 8 January 1945, John C. Butler and other escorts shot several kamikazes down. She decommissioned on 18 December 1957 and re-entered the Reserve Fleet, San Diego. After the attack on Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941, Saratoga immediately got underway for Hawaii. On November 30, 1865, Butler resigned his commission. The next day, Butler proceeded to Kerama Retto for temporary repairs. In October he finally saw action and got to do what as it turned out he did well lead Marines in combat. From 1927 to 1929, Butler was Commander of the Marine Expeditionary Force in China. Butner (AP-113) was launched by the Federal Shipbuilding & Drydock Co., Kearny, N.J., 19 September 1943 under Maritime Commission contract for the Army; sponsored by Mrs. John J. McCloy; acquired by the . DD-636 General Specifications. After returning to her homeport, the escort ship steamed for Vancouver on 30 August, conducting exercises in the Strait of Juan de Fuca, before returning to the San Diego area in the first week of September. She next made way for Seattle on 5 June before steaming back for her homeport, mooring there on 15 June. Major General Butler died at the Naval Hospital, Philadelphia, on 21 June 1940, following a four-week illness. Naval Reserve as a seaman second class on 19 February 1941, at the age of 20, at Long Beach, California. A rain squall provided cover for a turn to the south, and just after 07:30 the destroyers began their gallant torpedo attacks against great odds. Lo, John C. Butler escorted the surviving carriers of Taffy 3 via Manus to Pearl Harbor, then returned to Manus on 17 December. USS General H. W. Butner (AP-113), named for Henry W. Butner, was a troopship that served with the United States Navy in World War II and the Korean War.She was redesignated T-AP-113 in October 1949.. 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 . A damaged Zeke broke off the attack when fighters from the Marine Corps CAP appeared in the area to protect the escort ship. Throughout the night, the Marines held their position until at daybreak they charged the superior enemy force which fled. The best he could do was to operate his racket in three districts. From September-November, the escort ship conducted short training cruises off San Diego. The escort ship underwent a routine overhaul from 1 October 19553 January 1956. Arriving at Pearl on 15 December, she refueled and received assignment to Rear Admiral Frank Jack Fletchers Task Force (TF) 14. With the outbreak of the Korean War in June 1950, John C. Butler was recommissioned at San Diego on 27 December 1950, Lt. Cmdr. Transferred for use as a target ship in the Walleye II tests, she departed Naval Station San Diego towed by Koka (ATA-185) on 2 December 1971. (U.S. Navy Photograph 80-G-680789, National Archives and Records Administration, Still Pictures Division, College Park, Md. A rain squall provided further cover for a turn to the south, and at 0742, the destroyers Johnston, Hoel, Heerman, and escort ship Samuel B. Roberts made close-in attacks on Japanese cruisers and battleships, forcing the enemy to separate and zigzag, while U.S. carrier aircraft flew continuous sorties. The USS Butler, a destroyer, later converted to a high speed minesweeper, was named for MajGen Butler in 1942. One marine was injured, and all 51 Haitians were killed. 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. USS General H. W. Butner (AP-113) was a troopship that served with the United States Navy in World War II and the Korean War.She was redesignated T-AP-113 in October 1949.. 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 . Benjamin Butler became one of the most disliked generals of the war, upsetting many on both sides of the conflict. John C. Butler also made a port visit to Callao, Peru, mooring there at 1719. 113) 1946 at Smai China." The text on the back reads, "U.S.S. 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. Ens. I could not believe my eyes, but it looked as if the whole Japanese fleet was indeed retiring. At best, I had expected to be swimming by this time." Many veterans who served on the Navy transport ship were exposed to asbestos. Her commanding officer, Lt. Cmdr. Thus, she helped maintain trained officers and men to meet the U.S. Navy's cold war commitments. Sailing via the Panama Canal, she arrived Pearl Harbor on 26 June and engaged in convoy and training operations in July. After a short liberty visit, she returned stateside, arriving on 5 March. After a short dry dock period, the escort ship moored at Berth 129 in Los Angeles Harbor. She reported seeing an unidentified shiny black object surface and then submerge on her port quarter after her third attack. Departing Pearl on 9 August 1944, John C. Butler screened transports with the Third Fleet, bound for the invasion of the Palau Islands. Due to high winds, heavy seas, and damage sustained during the warhead tests, the portion of ex-John C. Butler aft of frame 135 broke apart and sank in approximately 90 feet of water. John C. Butler got underway on 4 October 1953, for Ensenada, Mexico. When he returned to the US in 1929, he was promoted to Major General, becoming, at age 48, the youngest major general of the Marine Corps. Screened by John C. Butler and other ships, the escort carriers claimed the destruction of 92 enemy planes by 17 January 1945, when orders arrived to detach and steam for Ulithi to stage for the invasion of Iwo Jima. I operated on three continents.. Lt. Cmdr. Despite an intensive search, Ens. Operating from Pyramid Cove, San Clemente Island, from 128 February, the escort ship conducted routine shipboard drills. After the crew returned from holiday leave, John C. Butler seldom left her homeport except to conduct short underway training periods from January-July 1957. John C. Butler was laid down on 5 October 1943, at Orange, Texas, by Consolidated Steel Corp., Ltd.; sponsored by Mrs. Irene C. Butler, mother of Ens. USS Langley (as AV-3) earned two battle stars on its Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Streamer: One for the Philippine Islands Operation, 8 December 1941 - 6 May 1942; and one for Netherlands East Indies Engagements, 23 January - 27 February 1942. The American Battlefield Trust and our members have saved more than 56,000 acres in 25 states! She took part in the Amphibious Battle of Gela and subsequently served on escort duty throughout the remainder of the operation. By November only the rebel mountain stronghold of Fort Riviere remained. Butler attended the elite Haverford School and was set for a life of privilege and power. As the Japanese launched fruitless suicide attacks, the ship escorted carriers into Kerama Retto, rescued downed pilots, and ferried men and material. The enemy destroyers also made several torpedo attacks. John C. Butler remained at Long Beach through September 1957. Making way for Long Beach, she returned to her homeport at 0655 on 25 August. USS Butler. 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. Getting underway again, she anchored off Acapulco on 11 July, before returning to Long Beach for refueling and resupply. 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. Best wishes to all, Good Luck and Good Cheer. Some 50 years later that trophy was presented to the Marine Corps for permanent custody. While Japanese aircraft seemed prevalent in the vicinity, none broke through the combat air patrol (CAP) of her carrier task unit while at sea. 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. Rear Admiral Clifton A. F. Sprague, commander of Taffy 3, later described the next surprising development: "At 0925 my mind was occupied with dodging torpedoes when near the bridge I heard one of the signalmen yell, ' dammit, boys, they're getting away!' Subscribe to the American Battlefield Trust's quarterly email series of curated stories for the curious-minded sort! The First American President: Setting the Precedent, African Americans During the Revolutionary War, Save 42 Historic Acres at the Battle of Chancellorsville, Phase Three of Gaines Mill-Cold Harbor Saved Forever Campaign, An Unparalleled Preservation Opportunity at Gettysburg Battlefield, For Sale: Three Battlefield Tracts Spanning Three Wars, Preserve 128 Sacred Acres at Antietam and Shepherdstown. With about 100 men Butler led his Marines through asmall hole in a wall of the Fort. After spending the next two weeks at her homeport undergoing small repairs, John C. Butler stood out on 27 July for Vancouver, arriving two days later at 1538. A week later, she got underway back for her homeport at Long Beach. John C. Butler received five battle stars for World War II service, and the Presidential Unit Citation for her part in the Battle off Samar. Training in antisubmarine exercises, often alongside Goss (DE-444), she anchored off Treasure Island, before returning to her homeport. The Japanese fleet was closing the Philippines in a last attempt to annihilate the invasion force, with heavy ships designated to break into Leyte Gulf from north and south, and a diversionary fleet of carriers to draw Admiral William F. Halsey's 3rd Fleet off to the North. Creation Date: Unknown. 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. The crew celebrated the holidays on leave with their families while the ship remained in port. Remaining off Iwo Jima with the escort carriers, John C. Butler supported the troops fighting inland until the capture of the island on 19 February 1945. 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. With the withdrawal of the Marines from the area later in the year, Butler served aboard USS New York until being discharged on February 16, 1899. On 18 April 1942, 16 North American B-25 Mitchell bombers, led by Lt. Col. James H. Doolittle, took off from Hornet (CV-8) to strike back at Japan. The USS John C. Butler is a T9 Destroyer Escort of the John C. Butler-class destroyer escorts. From 1909 to 1912, Butler served as the muscle for US policy throughout Nicaragua and Panama. 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. 220 pages, Paperback. Soon after this first attack, John C. Butler turned from the carriers to launch against the enemy, before exchanging gunfire with a heavy cruiser. ), John C. Butler, starboard side, in camouflage, Boston, Mass., 29 May 1944. Nearly a week later, on 9 October, tugs escorted her to Dry dock Number Two, Todd Shipyard, San Pedro. On 5 July, the escort ship made a port visit to Lima, Peru, before arriving in the Canal Zone two days later. But Vice Admiral Takeo Kurita's Center Force still transited San Bernardino Strait the night of 2425 October, and just after sunrise bore down on the relatively unprotected Taffy 3, including John C. Butler. Maxwell F. Max Leslie, commanding) off Yorktown at 1106, seeking to destroy the Japanese carriers. His action saved the officer and Butler was promoted to Captain by Brevet. (j.g.) In October, leading a patrol of 44 mounted Marines, they were ambushed by over 400 Cacos fighters. Getting underway for weeklong training exercises from May-July 1956 in the San Diego operating area beginning on 26 May, John C. Butler stood out on 8 August for Seattle. He did not see action during thatwar, and after a brief stint on the cruiser theUSS New York, he returned home to be discharged. In August of 1861, Butler led a successful amphibious assault on the Hatteras Inlet in North Carolina, and moved onto New Orleans in May, after the city had already surrendered to Admiral David G. Farragut. General H.W. However, shortly after the Center Force retreated from the engagement, the first attack of the war from a kamikaze unit fell upon the remaining ships of Taffy 3, sinking a second escort carrier and damaging all but one of the rest. He was one of only 20 marines to receive the Marine Corps Brevet Medal when it was created in 1921. 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. 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. (U.S. Navy Bureau of Ships Photograph BS-70488, National Archives and Records Administration, Still Pictures Division, College Park, Md. During his next session of combat, Butler proved his legendary abilities; as well as his disdain for war. The escort ship got underway for Pearl Harbor at 1625 on 7 April 1953. He was appointed a major general on May 16, 1861, being one of the first appointed by President Abraham Lincoln. In addition to reserve cruises, she took part in the training program of Fleet Sonar School, San Diego. Claggett H. Hawkins, the pilot, was not recovered. After a brief return to Long Beach, she steamed for Ensenada, Mexico, on 9 May. From October-December 1952, John C. Butler conducted various exercises in the operating area off San Diego. He was wounded in that battle on 13 July 1900. After shakedown training, John C. Butler received assignment to the supervision of the Commandant of the Eleventh Naval District for training naval reserves at sea. Lt. Cmdr. As the invasion fleet moved through Philippines waters, enemy aircraft spotted the group. A third kamikaze, already in flames, crashed close to the ship after clipping a radio antenna. She was sold for scrapping on 10 January 1948. He was elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives in 1853, and then to the Senate of theCommonwealthin 1859. Bill Nesbit." Physical Description 1 photograph : b&w ; 17 x 8 cm. Six days later, she stood out en route for Long Beach. Although the Halsey-Doolittle Raid failed to inflict great damage on the Japanese homeland, it quickly became a morale booster for Americans back home. Namesake [ edit] John Clarence Butler was born on 2 February 1921 in Liberty, Arizona. During World War I, he commanded the 13th Regiment in France. Getting underway for San Diego at 1025, she steamed for Acapulco, remaining in the area from 814 February. Returning three days later to Southern Ca., the escort ship underwent a second yard period from 1 March25 May. Maneuvering almost clear out of the suicide planes path, the kamikaze caught Kitkun Bay in her port side at the waterline, exploding so close aboard as to open a hole some nine by twenty feet. 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). She arrived in the United States on 26 August and was decommissioned on 8 November 1945. Butner (AP-113) Howard's hand-written comments: One of our large troop carriers. For the next several months, from March-July 1951, John C. Butler moored at her homeport of Long Beach Naval Station. On 14 August, she got underway for Fleet Sonar School, San Diego. Butler was engaged in convoy work and overhaul until 5 May 1944 at which time she stood out for the Invasion of Normandy from 6 June to 15 July. ), Port side view of John C. Butler, Boston, 29 May 1944; note unstowed depth charges on the main deck, aft. The Boxer Rebellion had erupted, and the Marines were sent into the fray. Photo #: 19-N-51688. John C. Butler rescued one survivor, ARM3c T. J. Szpont. For faster navigation, this Iframe is preloading the Wikiwand page for USS Butler . Every purchase supports the mission. Paul Thurman Butler Collection (AFC/2001/001/58079), Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress. Transferred to dangerous outer picket duty north of Ie Shima on 20 May, she was attacked by six kamikazes just before sunset. Detached from the screen of escort carriers on 15 April 1945, John C. Butler underwent repairs at Kerama Retto before taking an isolated patrol station just to the north of Ie Shima. John E. Pace, a survivor of both the attack on Pearl Harbor and sinking of Lexington (CV-2) at the Battle of the Coral Sea, received the Navy Cross for his role in the fight. Returning to the United States in January 1901, he served at various posts within the continental limits and on several ships. At 0700 on 30 November, John C. Butler got underway for training, commencing dry torpedo runs and target vessel firing. After returning to her homeport, she stood out on 15 June for the Panama Canal Zone. While picking up ARM3c Szpont, a heavy underwater explosion, believed caused by depth charges in the wrecked aircraft, caused some concern amongst the rescue crew. She then returned to the United States, arriving Seattle 24 September. Once in New Orleans, he was appointed as military governor, and commanded the city in rather controversial ways. Sold 10 January 1948 and broken up for scrap. From October-December, John C. Butler remained moored in her homeport, with the exception of Fleet Sonar School training off San Diego from 110 December. VB-3 received a transfer from Saratoga to USSYorktown which left Pearl Harbor on 30 May to intercept the IJN carrier force headed for Midway Island. Beauregard to slow him down with an inferior force. Known as The Banana Wars, they were a series of conflicts spanning 30 years in Central America and the Caribbean. Designated a Naval Aviator (29 August), Butler accepted an appointment as ensign in the Naval Reserve (6 September), before receiving orders to the Advanced Training Group (ACTG), U.S. Pacific Fleet, for active duty, involving flying under instruction (17 September). Although he was able to bring order to the city, he became known as one who would pilfer goods of the Southern households he was watching.