Charles Butler

Charles Butler’s Personal Narrative was derived from information found in public records, military personnel files, and local/state historical association materials. Please note that the Robb Centre never fully closes the book on our servicemembers; as new information becomes available, narratives will be updated to appropriately represent the life story of each veteran.

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Military Honor(s):

Distinguished Service Cross

Citation: 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 Charles Butler (ASN: 2860948), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Machine-Gun Company, 371st Infantry Regiment, 93d Division, A.E.F., near Ardeuil, France, 29 September 1918. With three other soldiers, Private Butler crawled 200 yards ahead of our lines under violent machine-gun fire and rescued an officer who was lying mortally wounded in a shell hole.

Croix de Guerre with Bronze Star

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Life & Service

  • Birth: 30 April 1896, McComb, MS, United States
  • Place of Residence:
  • Race/Ethnicity: African American
  • Death: 3 September 1967 Chicago, IL, United States
  • Branch: French IX Corps, French Fourth Army, French 157th Division Army
  • Military Rank: Private
  • Company: [MG]
  • Infantry Regiment: 371st
  • Division: 93rd
Personal Narrative
Early Life (Pre-War): Includes general parent information, sibling information, education Toggle Accordion

Charles Butler was born to Joseph (1850-) and Amanda McLean (1848-) in McComb, Pike County, Mississippi on 20 April 1896. He was the second youngest of nine children; brother to Janie (1872-), Henry (1875-), Mary (1879-1971), Samantha (1884-), Joanna (1892-), Carrie (1895-) and Rosene (1896-). In his youth, he worked for the Holmes Livery Stable in Clinton, Mississippi.

Service: Includes a summary of transfers, rank change(s), training, enlistment, and discharge locations Toggle Accordion

Unknown enlistment date and place. Butler and his replacement company left for Brest, France on the U.S. Army Transport Ship Sibony on 30 June 1918. Private Butler received the Distinguished Service Cross and French Croix de Guere with Bronze Star on 10 December 1918 for his actions on 29 September 1918 near Ardeuil, France;

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 Charles Butler (ASN: 2860948), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Machine-Gun Company, 371st Infantry Regiment, 93d Division, A.E.F., near Ardeuil, France, 29 September 1918. With three other soldiers, Private Butler crawled 200 yards ahead of our lines under violent machine-gun fire and rescued an officer who was lying mortally wounded in a shell hole”.

Awarded by CG, AEF, December 10, 1918; Published in C.O No. 46, 1919.

Order No. 12.440, “D”, Dated December 21st, 1918, Date and place of act not shown.

Private Butler and Machine Gun Company left for the United States on the U.S. Army Transport Ship U.S.S. Leviathan on 3 February 1919. Private Butler was Honorably Discharged.

Later Life (Post-War): Includes post-war education, occupation, marriage(s) and/or children, location and date of death Toggle Accordion

Much of his personal life is unknown. He worked as a Steel Mill laborer in 1940 in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, and for the Hatley Brothers, landowners, in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois in 1942. Details on the remainder of his life are unknown; Charles Butler died on 3 September 1967 in Chicago.