"Heroically led his platoon against the enemy in Normandy, France, on 14,
16, and 23 June 1944. Although 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, antitank guns, pillboxes and machine gun
emplacements and protected by concentrated artillery and mortar fire.
As the attack was launched, 2Lt Butts, at the head of his platoon, was
critically wounded by German machine gun fire. Although weakened by his
injuries, he rallied his men and directed 1 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 10 yards of his
objective, he was killed by direct fire. By his superb courage,
unflinching valor and inspiring actions, 2Lt Butts enabled his platoon
to take a formidable strong point and contributed greatly to the success
of his battalion's mission."
From 2Lt. Butts' Medal of Honor citation, awarded in 1945.
Thank you for your service and may you be at peace,
Brian
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