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Honoring American TroopsMedal of Honor Archive

Corporal · U.S. Marine Corps

William Robert Button

Corporal William Robert Button, Marine Corps, received the Medal of Honor for actions between October 31 and November 1, 1919 near Grande Riviere, Republic of Haiti during the 1919–1920 Haitian campaign.

Haitian Campaign 1919 - 1920 October 31 - November 1, 1919

Serving as a Marine in the U.S. Marine Corps, Corporal William Robert Button received the Medal of Honor for his actions between October 31 and November 1, 1919 near Grande Riviere, Republic of Haiti during the 1919–1920 Haitian campaign. At the time he was serving with Gendarmerie d'Haiti. Button was 23 years old.

One other service member also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on July 1, 1920.

Button was born on December 3, 1895 in St. Louis, St. Louis County, Missouri. Button died on April 15, 1921 in Cape Haitien, Haiti, at the age of 25. He is buried at Valhalla Cemetery in St. Louis, Missouri.

Button is one of 2 Medal of Honor recipients from the 1919–1920 Haitian campaign and one of 78 credited to Missouri.

Official Medal of Honor citation

For extraordinary heroism and conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in actual conflict with the enemy near Grande Riviere, Republic of Haiti, on the night from 31 October to 1 November 1919, resulting in the death of Charlemagne Peralte, the supreme bandit chief in the Republic of Haiti, and the killing, capture, and dispersal of about 1,200 of his outlaw followers. Cpl. William R. Button not only distinguished himself by his excellent judgment and leadership but also unhesitatingly exposed himself to great personal danger when the slightest error would have forfeited not only his life but the lives of the detachments of Gendarmerie under his command. The successful termination of his mission will undoubtedly prove of untold value to the Republic of Haiti.

Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.

Battles and campaigns

1915 · Haiti 1915

United States occupation of Haiti

Result: American victory

2 Medal of Honor recipients

Places

  • Born: St. Louis — map
  • Died: St. Louis — map
  • Buried: Valhalla Cemetery — map

Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Missouri →

Timeline

  1. December 3, 1895
    Born in St. Louis, St. Louis County, Missouri
  2. October 31 - November 1, 1919
    Act of valor — near Grande Riviere, Republic of Haiti
    Age 23. Gendarmerie d'Haiti
  3. July 1, 1920
    Medal of Honor presented
  4. April 15, 1921
    Died in Cape Haitien, Haiti
    Age 25.
  5. Resting place
    Valhalla Cemetery
    St. Louis, Missouri

Biography

William Robert Button (December 3, 1895 – April 15, 1921) was a United States Marine who was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions in the assassination of Haitian nationalist leader Charlemagne Péralte in 1919 during the United States occupation of Haiti.

From the Wikipedia article “William Robert Button”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →

Also honored for actions on October 31 - November 1, 1919

Herman Henry Hanneken Sergeant · Marine Corps Haiti 1919–1920 · 1919
Sources. Service and award details compiled from the recipient record of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, Wikidata and Wikipedia. The narrative summary is generated from these records. Spotted an error? Send a correction.