William Robert Button

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William Robert Button
December 3, 1895(1895-12-03) – April 15, 1921 (aged 25)
Corporal William R. Button
Place of birth	St. Louis, Missouri
Place of death	St. Louis, Missouri
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Marine Corps
Years of service	1917-1921
Rank	Sergeant
Unit	USS Antares 7th Marines
Battles/wars	2nd United States Occupation of Haiti
Awards	Medal of Honor

'William Robert Button (3 December 1895–15 April 1921) was a United States Marine Corps Corporal who was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions in killing Charlemagne Peralte on 31 October-1 November 1919. Second Lieutenant Herman H. Hanneken was also awarded the Medal of Honor on that date. Button later obtained the rank of Sergeant before dying at age 25 from malaria.

[edit] Medal of Honor citation

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR to

CORPORAL WILLIAM R. BUTTON
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

For service as set forth in the following Citation:

For extraordinary heroism and conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in actual conflict with the enemy near GRANDE RIVIERE Republic of Haiti, on the night of October 31st-November 1st, 1919, resulting in the death of Charlemagne Peralte, the supreme bandit chief in the Republic of Haiti, and the killing and capture and dispersal of about twelve hundred (1200) of his outlaw followers. Corporal William R. Button not only distinguished himself by his excellent judgment and leadership, but 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.