USS JOHN C. BUTLER DE-339

Departing Ulithi on 26 March 1945, John C. Butler joined the screen of Rear Adm. William D. Sample’s four escort carriers, Suwannee (CVE-27), Chenango (CVE-28), Santee (CVE-29), and Steamer Bay, to provide direct air support to troops on Okinawa and lend strategic support by conducting airstrikes on enemy installations in the Sani Shima Gunto. While Japanese aircraft seemed prevalent in the vicinity, none broke through the combat air patrol (CAP) of her carrier task unit while at sea.

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. Remaining on the station for over a month, the crew of John C. Butler sprang into action on 20 May 1945. Alerted by radio warning of Japanese aircraft in the vicinity, crewmembers manned their battle stations. Eight to 10 enemy kamikazes, including Mitsubishi A6M Zeros (Zekes) and Nakajima Ki-43 Hayabusas (Oscars), approached the escort ship intent on destroying it. Lt. Cmdr. 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. A third kamikaze, already in flames, crashed close to the ship after clipping a radio antenna. A fourth aircraft, already afire from repeated hits, exploded as the pilot attempted to bank into the ship.

The remaining suicide plane, damaged by gunfire but continuing towards John C. Butler, sheared radar equipment from the mast before crashing into the sea close aboard, showering the decks with water, bits of wood, metal and pieces of the pilot’s clothing. A damaged Zeke broke off the attack when fighters from the Marine Corps CAP appeared in the area to protect the escort ship. John C. Butler’s gunners managed to shoot down four Zekes and one Oscar. Lt. Cmdr. Pace received the Silver Star medal for his actions on 20 May 1945.

With the last pockets of Japanese resistance eliminated on 21 June 1945, Okinawa officially was secured. Mopping up operations continued until the end of the month. John C. Butler returned to Okinawa on 4 July 1945, and spent the remainder of the war in convoy escort, principally between Saipan (21–29 August), Ulithi (1 September–10 October), Manus (1–18 November), and Pearl Harbor (19–22 November). Steaming to San Pedro, Calif., on 23 November 1945, she underwent inactivation overhaul before ordered placed out of commission on 26 June 1946, assigned to the San Diego Group of the Pacific Reserve Fleet.

With the outbreak of the Korean War in June 1950, John C. Butler was recommissioned at San Diego on 27 December 1950, Lt. Cmdr. Marvin D. Jones in command. 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.

On 16 January 1951, John C. Butler got underway for sea trials at 0816. Completing her ammunition on load at 1730, she received 13,020 gallons of Navy Special fuel oil before mooring at San Diego. Operating from Pyramid Cove, San Clemente Island, from 1–28 February, the escort ship conducted routine shipboard drills. During the month of March, John C. Butler participated in antisubmarine drills.

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. Training in antisubmarine exercises, often alongside Goss (DE-444), she anchored off Treasure Island, before returning to her homeport. 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. She spent the rest of the year moored in her homeport.

Standing out for various short underway periods from January-April 1952, John C. Butler entered Dry dock Number One on 18 April. Two weeks later, she moved to Pier Three, before getting underway on 30 June for San Diego via Long Beach. At 0715 on 1 July, she made way into the operating area off San Diego for Fleet Sonar School exercises. Returning to her homeport on 10 July, she got underway with TU 98.20.1 on 27 July alongside George A. Johnson (DE-583), Thomas F. Nickel (DE 587), and Grady (DE-445), for Victoria, British Columbia. Arriving at Esquimalt Naval Shipyard, Victoria, on 1 August, she next made way for Seattle, Wash., on 7 August at 0905. Arriving at 1645 to Naval Supply Station, Seattle, John C. Butler remained in the area for four days, conducting operations in Puget Sound. Making way for Long Beach, she returned to her homeport at 0655 on 25 August.

John C. Butler stood out for Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on 1 September 1952. Arriving at Oahu on 5 September at 1138, she conducted operations off Hilo (Kuhio Bay) on 8 September. Making way for Long Beach on 10 September, she arrived at her homeport on 15 September. Just over a week later, on 23 September, the escort ship made way for Portland, Oregon, mooring there on 25 September for a port visit before returning to Southern California five days later.

From October-December 1952, John C. Butler conducted various exercises in the operating area off San Diego. On 5 January 1953, she steamed for Acapulco, Mexico, arriving three days later. Making way for Long Beach, she moored at Net Pier on 2 February. From 14–15 February, John C. Butler stood out for Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico. Five days later, she made way for her homeport. From late February-late March, she conducted operations in the San Diego area, before getting underway again for Ensenada on 29 March.

The escort ship got underway for Pearl Harbor at 1625 on 7 April 1953. On board were naval reservists going to sea, several for the first time, in order to experience and learn about their ratings. Arriving in Hawaii on 11 April, John C. Butler stood out at 0958 to conduct at sea exercises. Six days later, on 17 April, she made way for Long Beach, arriving at 0721. On 2 May, John C. Butler steamed from San Diego to Seattle. The crew enjoyed a few days of liberty before the escort ship returned to San Diego Bay on 8 May. Later that month, the escort ship made way to Vancouver, British Columbia, on 25 May, mooring at Esquimalt before returning to Net Pier five days later.

Keeping up a rapid tempo of underway periods, John C. Butler steamed for Vancouver, on 1 June 1953. She next made way for Seattle on 5 June before steaming back for her homeport, mooring there on 15 June. A week later, the escort ship stood out for Balboa, Canal Zone, entering the area on 25 June. John C. Butler also made a port visit to Callao, Peru, mooring there at 1719. Operating alongside Weeden (DE-797), the two escort ships departed Callao on the Fourth of July for Manzanillo, Mexico. At 1501 on 10 July, both Weeden and John C. Butler departed Manzanillo in company with TU 31.1.9 en route to Long Beach. 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.

On 29 July 1953, John C. Butler made way for Seattle before returning to Southern Ca., on 7 August. From 20–25 August, the escort ship got underway for Honolulu, arriving at 0915 on 26 August. After a short liberty period, John C. Butler stood out on 29 August to return to her homeport at Long Beach, arriving there on 2 September. After another short upkeep period, the escort ship received orders to report to Fleet Sonar School from 16–29 September.

John C. Butler got underway on 4 October 1953, for Ensenada, Mexico. After conducting operations and training exercises, she returned to her homeport. After bringing on board naval reservists, the escort ship stood out for Hawaii on 8 November. Arriving at Pearl at 1325 on 12 November, she conducted exercises in the area off Oahu. The reservists trained in his rank or rating, stood watches, repaired and maintained equipment, conducted ship handling exercises, and learned antisubmarine and antiaircraft warfare maneuvers before returning to Long Beach on 23 November. John C. Butler remained in port during the month of December.

The crew celebrated the holidays on leave with their families while the ship remained in port. Ens. J. J. Corcoran composed the traditional New Year’s Day deck log entry on 1 January 1954:

A brand New Year and here I am

moored starboard side to the Cunningham.

At the Naval Station in old Long Beach,

New Year’s Eve and not a blonde in reach…

To all the Navy in the New Year,

Best wishes to all, Good Luck and Good Cheer.

Remaining at her homeport for an upkeep period until 24 February 1954, John C. Butler stood out the next day for Mazatlán, Mexico, arriving two days later at 1203. After a short liberty visit, she returned stateside, arriving on 5 March. Ten days later, on 15 March, the escort ship got underway for Pearl Harbor. Arriving at 0947 on 27 March, the crew enjoyed three days of liberty before John C. Butler got underway for California. After conducting training operations off the west coast during the first two weeks of April, John C. Butler anchored at Avalon, South Catalina Island, on 24 April.

John C. Butler returned to Fleet Sonar School, San Diego, on 5 May 1954. After a brief return to Long Beach, she steamed for Ensenada, Mexico, on 9 May. Receiving orders to make way for Portland on 25 May, the escort ship remained in the area for two days before standing out for her homeport on 4 June. Three weeks later, on 23 June, she got underway for Balboa, Panama. On 26 June, she briefly moored at Coco Solo Naval Station before standing out at 1334 in company with TU 31.1.9, en route to Havana, Cuba. After a port visit in Havana, John C. Butler made way for Cristobal, C.Z., on 5 July. A day later, she arrived at Rodman Naval Station, Balboa. Later that same day, at 1346, she stood out for Acapulco, Mexico. Returning to Southern Ca., on 16 July, the escort ship made way to Seattle on 26 July, and moored at the Naval Supply Depot four days later.

During the month of August 1954, John C. Butler made port visits to Vancouver (9 August), and Georgia Strait, Sandy Point, Wash., (11 August). A week later, she got underway back for her homeport at Long Beach. A return visit to Vancouver and Seattle in early September ended her underway period and port visits for the year. From October-December, John C. Butler remained moored in her homeport, with the exception of Fleet Sonar School training off San Diego from 1–10 December.

On 9 January 1955, John C. Butler stood out from her homeport and anchored at Wilson Cove, San Clemente. Getting underway for San Diego at 1025, she steamed for Acapulco, remaining in the area from 8–14 February. Steaming back to her homeport, she conducted exercises in the area before taking on fuel and supplies and making way for Hawaii at 1323 on 27 March. Mooring at Honolulu on 2 April, the crew enjoyed four days of liberty before getting underway at 0820 on 6 April. Arriving at Long Beach on 12 April, the escort ship spent the next two months moored at her homeport.

An intense training and underway schedule began during the first week of June 1955. From 1–7 June, John C. Butler made a port call to Portland, Oregon. After returning to her homeport, she stood out on 15 June for the Panama Canal Zone. From 23–26 June, she made port visits to Panama and Callao, Peru. On 5 July, the escort ship made a port visit to Lima, Peru, before arriving in the Canal Zone two days later. Getting underway again, she anchored off Acapulco on 11 July, before returning to Long Beach for refueling and resupply. On 26 July, John C. Butler stood out for Seattle, conducting exercises in the area until 6 August.

After returning to her homeport two weeks later, she got underway for Ensenada, remaining there from 20–22 August 1955. 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.

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. The escort ship underwent a routine overhaul from 1 October 1955–3 January 1956. Underway from the shipyard on 3 January at 0838, John C. Butler commenced sea trials before proceeding to her homeport. After the completion of sea trials, the escort ship got underway for Acapulco on 26 February. Returning three days later to Southern Ca., the escort ship underwent a second yard period from 1 March–25 May.

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. On 20 August, she made way for Port Angeles, conducting training exercises until mooring at Vancouver on 24 August. Six days later, she stood out en route for Long Beach. From September-November, the escort ship conducted short training cruises off San Diego. On 25 November, John C. Butler got underway for Acapulco, making a port visit there from 1–6 December. Steaming back for her homeport, she returned at 0909 on 7 December, the fifteenth anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor.

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. She made way on 23–26 July to Port Alberni, B.C., mooring at the Government Assembly Wharf from 26 July-1 August. Steaming for a port visit to Seattle on 2 August, John C. Butler stood out for training exercises in the area before anchoring off the coast from the 6th-10th. Departing Seattle on 11 August, she arrived back to her homeport five days later.

John C. Butler remained at Long Beach through September 1957. On 1 October, she stood out for Wilmington, Ca. Nearly a week later, on 9 October, tugs escorted her to Dry dock Number Two, Todd Shipyard, San Pedro. After a short dry dock period, the escort ship moored at Berth 129 in Los Angeles Harbor.

At 0920 on 18 December, her crew assembled on the fantail for decommissioning ceremonies. At 0930, Lt. Cmdr. Lester E. G. Setser, her commanding officer, ordered the colors and commissioning pennant hauled down. Placed in the U.S. Pacific Reserve Fleet, San Diego, on 18 December 1957, John C. Butler was stricken from the Naval Vessel Register on 1 June 1970.

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. 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. Towing the remainder of the ship’s remaining hulk into deeper water, 75 pounds of C-4 explosive charges placed at two points in her bulkhead detonated, capsizing the rest of ex-John C. Butler.

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.