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The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant John “L” Butts, Jr. (NSN: 0-106599), United States Naval Reserve, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while acting as Pilot of a Bomber type aircraft on a search over enemy territory in company with one fighter plane in the vicinity of the Philippine Islands on 25 October 1944. He sighted enemy warships and successfully transmitted this important message and then proceeded to make a bombing attack in the face of aerial opposition and intense anti-aircraft fire, strafing in his dive and doing much damage to the enemy. His skill and courage were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Awards Received

  • Navy Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant

    Batallion:

    Bombing Squadron 19 (VB-19)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Lexington (CV-16)

    Action Date:

    October 24, 1944
    Commander 1st Carrier Task Force Pacific: Serial 0766 (October 30, 1944)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant John “L” Butts, Jr. (NSN: 0-106599), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Dive Bomber of Bombing Squadron NINETEEN (VB-19), attached to the U.S.S. LEXINGTON (CV-16), in action against Japanese Fleet units in the vicinity of the Philippine Islands on 24 October 1944. He made a dive bombing run with his flight and his bomb failed to release, whereupon he circled for altitude and in spite of extremely intense and continuous anti-aircraft fire from enemy capital ships, daringly made a one plane bombing attack upon an enemy cruiser and strafed other enemy capital chips. His courage and skill were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Lieutenant

    Batallion:

    Bombing Squadron 19 (VB-19)

    Division:

    U.S.S. Lexington (CV-16)

    Action Date:

    November 5, 1944

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant John “L” Butts, Jr. (NSN: 0-106599), United States Naval Reserve, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Bomber aircraft assigned to an attack upon an enemy heavy cruiser in the vicinity of the Philippine Islands on 5 November 1944. In spite of enemy air opposition and intense and continuous anti-aircraft fire, he pressed his attack extremely low and contributed appreciably to the sinking of this enemy warship. His courage and skill were at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.