Navy Federal Credit Union

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Private

    Batallion:

    2d Battalion

    Regiment:

    119th Infantry Regiment

    Division:

    30th Infantry Division

    Action Date:

    February 25, 1945

    Headquarters, NINTH U.S. Army, General Orders No. 204 (June 9, 1945)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Private Raymond O. Butts, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company G, 2d Battalion, 119th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces in Germany, on 25 February 1945. On that date, near Hollen, Germany, Private Butts battalion ran into a large force of German tanks. Private Butts, firing his bazooka for the first time in combat, knocked out a Panzer tank from a second story window. A second tank was spotted moving up and down the street with a German officer standing halfway out of the turret, brandishing a P-38 pistol. Firing a second bazooka rocket, Private Butts destroyed this second tank, while a comrade killed the officer. Private Butts’ extraordinary heroism, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 30th Infantry Division, and the United States Army.