John Edward Butts (August 4, 1922 – June 23, 1944) was a United States Army second lieutenant and rifle platoon leader who received the Medal of Honor posthumously for his actions above and beyond the call of duty during the Normandy Campaign in World War II.

He returned to the United States in November to attend Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, Georgia.

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.

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.

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.[2]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[9] named after him: