Butts was born on August 4, 1920 in Medina, New York. He was one of six sons of Jerry and Anna 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. During these campaigns and the Normandy Campaign in June 1944, he was a platoon leader of E Company, 2nd Battalion, 60th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division. Butts was wounded on June 14 near Orglandes, France. He was wounded again on June 16 as his unit crossed the Douve River. On June 23, he was fatally wounded by machine gun fire while attacking a well defended enemy held hill. For his heroic actions and leadership under enemy fire on June 14, 16, and 23, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. His body was buried in the United States Military Cemetery at Normandy. In 1948, his remains were removed and re-interred in St. Mary's Cemetery in Medina.
Military Awards
Lt. Butts' medals and memorabilia are on display at the Lee-Whedon Memorial Library in Medina, NY. His military decorations and awards include:
Medal of Honor citation
Lt. Butts' Medal of Honor citation reads: Rank and organization: Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army, Co. E, 60th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division. Place and date: Normandy, France, 14, 16, and June 23, 1944. Entered service at: Buffalo, N.Y. Birth: Medina, N.Y. G.O. No.: 58, July 19, 1944.
Lieutenant Butts heroically led his platoon against the enemy in Normandy, France, on 14, 16, and 23 June 1944. Despite being painfully wounded on the 14th near Orglandes and again on the 16th while spearheading an attack to establish a bridgehead across the Douve River, he refused medical aid and remained with his platoon. A week later, near Flottemanville Hague, he led an assault on a tactically important and stubbornly defended hill studded with tanks, anti-tank guns, pillboxes, and machinegun emplacements, and protected by concentrated artillery and mortar fire. As the attack was launched, Lieutenant Butts, at the head of his platoon, was critically wounded by German machinegun fire. Although weakened by his injuries, he rallied his men and directed one squad to make a flanking movement while he alone made a frontal assault to draw the hostile fire upon himself. Once more he was struck, but by grim determination and sheer courage continued to crawl ahead. When within ten yards of his objective, he was killed by direct fire. By his superb courage, unflinching valor and inspiring actions, Lieutenant Butts enabled his platoon to take a formidable strong point and contributed greatly to the success of his battalion's mission.
Harry Truman
Legacy
Lt. Butts' received several military and public honors, including having two streets, an airfield, an American Legion Post, a park, an athletic field, and an ocean going ship named after him:
