James David Butler was the son of Richard Butler and Mae Hart. He married Hazel Mae Miller in Bristol, Virginia on 5 April 1942.
Sergeant James D. Butler was assigned to the 23rd Armored Infantry Battalion, 7th Armored Division. The unit was fighting in Northern France at the time he died of his wounds. As a Private he received the Silver Star on 15 August 1944. He died of wounds on 21 October 1944, and is interred at C,18,106, Lorraine American Cemetery, St Avold, France.
Silver Star Citation:
“The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private James D. Butler, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving with the 23rd Armored Infantry Battalion, 7th Armored Division, in action in France, on 15 August 1944. Private Butler’s gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.”
The Bristol Herald Courier, November 23, 1944
Sgt. James D. Butler, of 1248 W. State street, previously reported missing in action, died in France on October 21 of wouonds received in action on September 14, his wife, Mrs. Hazel Miller Butler has been informed by the War Department. Sgt. Butler, son of Mrs. Mae Butler of Newport, Tenn., was inducted into the army in December, 1942, and took his training at Fort Oglethorpe, Ga., Camp Polk, La., Fort Benning, Ga., and in the California desert. He had been overseas since June of this year, sailing from New York. Sgt. Butler was recently awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action, his citation stating that he was riding in a vehicle which was fired upon by the battery of four German 88 mm. guns and two machine guns. After taking cover in a ditch, it continued, he observed that his squad leader was trapped in the burning vehicle and without hesitation returned nunder heavy fire to aid his buddy, even though the squad leader was hopelessly pinned in the vehicle and the rescue attempt proved unsuccessful. “Sgt. Butler’s action in voluntarily exposing himself to concentrated enemy fire in an effort to save his sergeant’s life exemplifies the highest type of soldier and his action was an inspiration to other members of his unit,” the citation said. Prior to entering the army, Sgt. Butler was employed at the Norfolk Navy Yard at Portsmouth, Va. He is survived by his widow, his mother and one sister, Lorene Butler of Newport.
- Rank: Private
- Date of birth: 11 October 1918
- Date of death: 21 October 1944
- County: Cocke
- Hometown: Newport
- Service Branch: Army/Army Air Forces
- Division/Assignment: 23rd Infantry Battalion, 7th Armored Division
- Theater: Europe
- Conflict: World War II
- Awards: Silver Star, Purple Heart
- Burial/Memorial Location: Lorraine American Cemetery, St. Avold (Moselle), France
- Location In Memorial: Pillar VIII, Middle Panel
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