From: Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships

Butte is the name of counties in Idaho, California, and South Dakota.

(APA-68: dp. 4247: l. 426'; b. 58'; dr. 16'; s. 16.9 k.; cpl. 320; a. 1 5"; cl. Gilliam)

Butte (APA 68) was launched 20 July 1944 by Consolidated Steel Corp., Ltd., Wilmington, Calif., under a Maritime Commission contract; sponsored by Mrs. Thomas W. Mearns; acquired 21 November 1944, and commissioned the next day, Commander J. A. Gillis, USNR, in command.

Butte got underway for Pearl Harbor 5 January 1945 loaded with troops. After embarking additional troops at Pearl Harbor she successively visited Eniwetok Atoll, Marshall Islands; Saipan, Marianas Islands; Ulithi and Palau, Caroline Islands; and Leyte, Philippine Islands. Between 1 and 14 April 1945 she provided logistic support during the assault and occupation of Okinawa.

Following this, Butte transported casualties to the rear bases, stopping at Saipan Ulithi, the Palaus, and Leyte. Returning to Guam and Ulithi, more troops were embarked for passage to the Philippines. The ship then transported wounded veterans to San Francisco, arriving 18 June. She weighed anchor 8 July and carried troops to Okinawa. After the cessation of hostilities Butte transported occupation and Chinese troops and liberated prisoners of war throughout the China-Korea area until November 1945, when she departed the Far East to return to the United States. Butte arrived in the United States 18 December 1945 and, after repairs, was ordered to Pearl Harbor 23 February 1946 for assignment to JTF 1. She served as a unit of the target group for Operation Crossroads. She survived the atomic bomb tests and was retained for structural and radiation study at Kwajalein until 12 May 1948 when she was disposed of by sinking.

Butte received one battle star for her World War II service.