Search the Site with

General Characteristics

Crew List

Memorabilia

Accidents aboard the Ship

About the Ship's Coat of Arms

Ship's History

Image Gallery

to end of page

USNS Butte (T-AE 27)

USNS BUTTE was the second KILAUEA - class Ammunition Ship. She was named for the city of Butte, Montana. Transfered to the Military Sealift Command in 1996, BUTTE was both decommissioned and stricken from the Navy list on May 24, 2004. The ship spend the following two years berthed at the NAVSEA Inactive Ships On-site Maintenance Office, Philadelphia, Penn., serving as a logistics support asset. On June 29, 2006, BUTTE was sunk as a target off the US east coast using Maverick and Harpoon missiles and a MK-48 torpedo.

back to top

go to the end of the page

back to top

go to the end of the page

Crew List:

This section contains the names of sailors who served aboard USNS BUTTE. It is no official listing but contains the names of sailors who submitted their information.

• Click here to view the list.

back to top

go to the end of the page

• Click here to see which USNS BUTTE memorabilia are currently for sale on ebay.

back to top

go to the end of the page

Accidents aboard USS/USNS BUTTE:

back to top

go to the end of the page

About the Ship's Coat of Arms:

The dominant figure of the US(N)S BUTTE insignia is a silhouette representing a modern ammunition ship. The silhouetted helicopter represents the ship's vertical replenishment capability. The butte in the background is emblematic of the ship's name and of its relationship with Butte, Montana. The chain which encloses the plaque is symbolic of the ship's vital link with the combatant forces and of USS BUTTE's capability for ammunition delivery around the world. The four stars in the bottom half of the circle, represent BUTTE's assignment to Commander in Chief, U.S. Atlantic Fleet. The two stars above the ship's silhouette represent her primary assignment under the operational control of Commander, SECOND Fleet. The total of six stars is emblematic of her primary source of deployment, the Mediterranean, under the operational control of Commander, SIXTH Fleet.

back to top

go to the end of the page

History of US(N)S BUTTE:

USS BUTTE was laid down on July 21, 1966, at Quincy, Massachusetts, by General Dynamics Corporation, launched on August 9, 1967, sponsored by Mrs. Ellen Hodges Proxmire, and commissioned at Boston Naval Shipyard on December 14, 1968, with Captain Wallace M. Riggs in command. BUTTE spent most of the first ten months of 1969 at Boston Naval Shipyard while modifications and fitting-out work continued. At the end of the second week of November, she moved south to Norfolk, Virginia, which became her first home port. She then spent slightly more than two weeks conducting equipment tests in the Virginia capes operating area. On December 4, 1969, she departed for operations in the vicinity of Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and returned to Norfolk on December 16. The remainder of the year was devoted to holiday leave and upkeep.

On January 2, 1970, BUTTE departed Norfolk for her formal shakedown cruise in the West Indies. She conducted training in the Guantanamo Bay operating area before returning north at the beginning of February. On February 12, she entered Norfolk Naval Shipyard for a post-shakedown availability lasting approximately two months. The work was completed on April 16, after which the ship resumed operations from Norfolk.

BUTTE departed Chesapeake Bay on May 29, 1970, for her first overseas deployment. She arrived at Rota, Spain, on June 7 and on June 8 relieved USS SURIBACHI (AE 21) as an ammunition ship assigned to the Sixth Fleet. During the following five months, BUTTE operated throughout the Mediterranean, supplying ammunition to fleet units while also carrying mail, passengers and other cargo. The final approximately two months of the deployment were spent primarily in the eastern Mediterranean during the political and military crisis in Jordan. Fighting between forces of King Hussein's government and Palestinian organizations escalated sharply during September 1970 in what became known as the Black September crisis. The United States increased the readiness and presence of Sixth Fleet forces in the eastern Mediterranean, and BUTTE provided logistics support to the naval units maintained there. Her service during the crisis resulted in a Meritorious Unit Commendation. USS NITRO (AE 23) relieved BUTTE at Rota on November 8, 1970. BUTTE then crossed the Atlantic and arrived at Norfolk on November 16, remaining there for the rest of the year.

On January 8, 1971, BUTTE departed Norfolk for another cruise to the West Indies. During the following month, she replenished Second Fleet ships operating among the Caribbean islands and made liberty calls in Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and Haiti. She began the return voyage on February 9 and arrived at Norfolk on February 11. For most of the remainder of 1971, she alternated operations in the Virginia capes area with cruises into the West Indies, particularly waters near Puerto Rico. The same general operating pattern continued into early 1972.

On January 14, BUTTE departed on her second deployment with the Sixth Fleet. Her outward voyage initially took her through the West Indies, where she participated in an Atlantic Fleet readiness exercise before crossing the Atlantic. She reached Rota on March 8 and entered the Mediterranean on March 10. During the following six months, she supplied ammunition to Sixth Fleet units and made port calls throughout the Mediterranean. During the summer, her crew was successively augmented by three groups of midshipmen participating in summer training cruises. BUTTE returned to Rota for turnover between August 26 and August 28 and then began her homeward passage.

BUTTE arrived at Norfolk on September 4, 1972, and commenced post-deployment leave and upkeep. By October 10, she had resumed normal Second Fleet operations. Early in December, preparations began for a substantially different assignment. On December 29, she departed Norfolk for the western Pacific under Captain James H. Scott. The deployment took the Atlantic Fleet ammunition ship through the Panama Canal and across the Pacific while direct American participation in the Vietnam War was approaching its final phase. BUTTE made her first transit of the Panama Canal on January 3, 1973. She subsequently crossed the Pacific and stopped at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on January 15 and January 16 before continuing west. On January 31, she arrived at Subic Bay, Philippines, one of the principal U.S. Navy logistics bases in the western Pacific.

After approximately one week at Subic Bay, BUTTE departed on February 6 for her first period of operations off Vietnam. She reached the operating area on February 7 and spent the following eight days replenishing Seventh Fleet ships with ammunition. The activity occurred shortly after the Paris Peace Accords had been signed on January 27, establishing a cease-fire and providing for the withdrawal of remaining U.S. combat forces, although American naval forces continued specified operations in the region. BUTTE returned to Subic Bay on February 16 and remained there until February 20.

She departed again on February 21 and resumed ammunition replenishment operations off Vietnam. She remained in the operating area until early March and subsequently returned to Subic Bay for approximately six days. From the Philippines she proceeded to Hong Kong, where she remained from March 13 through March 19. BUTTE departed Hong Kong on March 19 and reached Subic Bay on March 21. Following another stay at Subic Bay through March 28, BUTTE again sailed for Vietnamese waters. This time her mission was connected with implementation of the peace agreement rather than combat replenishment. She entered Haiphong, North Vietnam, on March 30 in support of U.S. forces participating in Operation End Sweep, the operation to remove or neutralize naval mines laid by the United States in North Vietnamese waters during 1972. BUTTE remained at Haiphong until April 3 and returned to Subic Bay on April 7.

BUTTE departed Subic Bay again on April 8 and returned to Haiphong on April 12. After completing that phase of her assignment she proceeded toward Singapore for liberty. During the remainder of the deployment, she conducted one additional period of operations off Vietnam before returning to Subic Bay on May 28. Her formally credited Vietnam Ceasefire campaign periods were February 6 and February 8-14, February 22-March 3, and March 28, 1973. The ship received one campaign star for her Vietnam service. Following her return to Subic Bay, BUTTE underwent an extended upkeep period that included time in dry dock. She departed the Philippines on June 15 for the United States. Her homeward route included Seal Beach, California, followed by another transit of the Panama Canal. She arrived at Norfolk on July 13, completing her only western Pacific deployment.

The normal post-deployment leave and upkeep period ended on August 13. BUTTE then made a brief voyage to Naval Weapons Station Earle, New Jersey, to deliver ammunition before returning to Norfolk for approximately two months of repairs, upkeep and inspections. Late in October, she conducted replenishment training with USS SANTA BARBARA (AE 28). In mid-November, she departed for a two-week cruise in the West Indies and returned to Norfolk on December 4. The remainder of 1973 was devoted to holiday standdown and preparations for her first regular overhaul.

On February 11, 1974, BUTTE entered the yard of Metro Machine Corporation at Berkeley, Virginia, for overhaul. Work continued through much of the year and was followed by trials and inspections during September and early October. BUTTE departed Norfolk on October 17 for the West Indies and post-overhaul refresher training. She completed the training during the third week of November and returned to Norfolk on November 23. She remained in the Hampton Roads area through the end of the year.

On January 7, 1975, BUTTE again departed for the Mediterranean. At Rota she relieved USS MOUNT BAKER (AE 34), after which she passed through the Strait of Gibraltar and began another assignment with the Sixth Fleet. During the deployment, she conducted repeated underway ammunition replenishments and made port visits around the Mediterranean. BUTTE returned to Rota on June 20 and turned over her duties to USS SURIBACHI. On June 22, she departed Rota in company with USS BOWEN (DE 1079) and USS MILLER (DE 1091). The ships reached Norfolk on July 3. For the remainder of 1975 BUTTE operated along the eastern coast of the United States.

Routine Second Fleet operations continued through the first five months of 1976. BUTTE remained at Norfolk during June while preparing for another Mediterranean deployment and departed on July 7. She arrived at Rota on July 17 and entered the Mediterranean on July 19. During approximately six months, she again supplied Sixth Fleet ships with ammunition and made Mediterranean port visits. She returned to Rota toward the end of January 1977, was relieved, and departed for the United States on January 27.

BUTTE arrived at Yorktown, Virginia, on February 7, 1977, and remained there for almost three weeks. After a round trip between Norfolk and Naval Weapons Station Earle, she began an extended post-deployment standdown and repair period at Norfolk on March 8. She resumed operations along the southeastern coast of the United States during the first part of June.

Preparations for another Mediterranean deployment began in early September. BUTTE departed through the Virginia capes on September 27, 1977, and headed across the Atlantic. She arrived at Rota on October 9 and entered the Mediterranean on October 12. For the following six months, she again served as an ammunition replenishment ship for the Sixth Fleet, combining underway logistics work with port visits throughout the Mediterranean. She departed Rota on April 15, 1978, and arrived at Norfolk on May 18.

Following approximately one month of leave and upkeep, BUTTE returned to sea late in June to provide support for a Polaris ballistic-missile firing off Port Canaveral, Florida. After a brief return to Norfolk, she entered the yard of Coastal Drydock Company on July 12 for her second regular overhaul. The repair period occupied the remainder of 1978 and continued into 1979. BUTTE resumed normal operations on May 21, 1979. On June 30, her official home port was changed from Norfolk to Naval Weapons Station Earle at Leonardo, New Jersey, placing the ammunition ship directly at one of the Atlantic Fleet's principal ordnance facilities. During July and early August, she conducted post-overhaul refresher training in the West Indies. From mid-August until late November, she again supported Second Fleet operations in the western Atlantic.

On November 27, 1979, BUTTE departed Earle for another Sixth Fleet deployment. She anchored at Rota on December 9 and entered the Mediterranean on December 13. During slightly more than four months, she provided ammunition and ordnance replenishment to Sixth Fleet ships and made Mediterranean port calls when not engaged in logistics operations. The deployment took place during a period of increased tension in the Middle East following the Iranian Revolution and the seizure of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran on November 4, 1979. BUTTE departed Rota on April 27, 1980, and arrived at Earle on May 5.

After approximately one month of post-deployment leave and upkeep, BUTTE resumed western Atlantic operations. This employment continued until November 18, when she departed for another Sixth Fleet assignment. She arrived at Malaga, Spain, on November 29. For almost three months, she followed the established pattern of ammunition replenishment and Mediterranean port visits. On February 16, 1981, the mission shifted eastward when BUTTE passed through the Suez Canal into the Red Sea. She continued into the Indian Ocean to provide logistics support to U.S. naval forces operating in the region. The Iran-Iraq War had begun in September 1980, while the American hostages held in Iran had been released only on January 20, 1981. The United States continued to maintain a substantial naval presence in the broader region. BUTTE remained east of Suez for slightly more than a month. On March 22, she transited the canal northbound and returned toward the Mediterranean. She departed Rota on March 30 and arrived at Earle on April 9. Her service in the Indian Ocean during the deployment qualified the ship for the Navy Expeditionary Medal.

Following seven weeks of leave and upkeep, BUTTE departed Earle on May 28, 1981, for Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island. There she participated in logistics tests with USS PIEDMONT (AD 17) and USNS NORTHERN LIGHT (T-AK 284). The project examined the potential use of a civilian-operated breakbulk cargo vessel to augment naval logistics capability during a major contingency. NORTHERN LIGHT had been modified for the test and carried inert ordnance and representative supply loads. During the demonstration, cargo was moved from NORTHERN LIGHT while BUTTE provided connected-replenishment equipment. Seven complete underway replenishment evolutions were conducted, involving approximately 400 palletized loads and demonstrating that a suitably prepared merchant vessel could participate in at-sea transfer operations with a Navy logistics ship. BUTTE returned to Earle on June 2.

For the remainder of 1981, BUTTE supported Second Fleet ships in waters extending from Narragansett Bay southward to the West Indies. On January 27, 1982, she departed Earle for another Mediterranean deployment.

By 1983, BUTTE was again operating extensively with Sixth Fleet forces. On May 18, she participated in NATO Exercise Distant Drum. Contemporary Navy documentation places her in a large multinational formation that included USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER (CVN 69) and USS VIRGINIA (CGN 38). The exercise provided coordinated maritime training among allied naval forces in the Mediterranean.

During the latter part of 1983, BUTTE supported U.S. naval forces operating off Lebanon. The Lebanese civil war had drawn an American-led multinational force into Beirut, and the security situation deteriorated sharply during the year. Following the bombing of the U.S. Marine barracks at Beirut International Airport on October 23, American naval forces remained concentrated in the eastern Mediterranean. BUTTE formed part of the ammunition logistics chain serving ships operating in the area. When USS NITRO arrived later that month, it conducted turnover with BUTTE and assumed the ammunition shuttle between Augusta Bay, Sicily, and the operating area off Beirut.

BUTTE continued Sixth Fleet operations during 1984. On May 1, she conducted an underway replenishment with USS IOWA (BB 61). Later that year, she operated with a group centered on USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER. Other ships associated with the force included USS MISSISSIPPI (CGN 40), USS WAINWRIGHT (CG 28), USS COONTZ (DDG 40), USS SAMPSON (DDG 10), USS SPRUANCE (DD 963), USS ELMER MONTGOMERY (FF 1082), USS KOELSCH (FF 1049), USS VOGE (FF 1047) and USS SAVANNAH (AOR 4).

On November 3 and November 4, 1984, the group conducted dual-carrier operations with forces centered on USS INDEPENDENCE (CV 62). From November 5 through November 7 the ships participated in Exercise Sea Wind, a joint air-defense exercise with Egypt involving coordinated maneuvering and air-defense training.

In 1985, BUTTE entered a regular overhaul at Mobile, Alabama. The work continued into the spring of 1986. After leaving the yard, the ship underwent the training and qualification process required for a return to fleet operations.

BUTTE deployed again to the Mediterranean in 1987. During this deployment, she became involved in Operation Goldenrod, an unusual mission separate from her normal ammunition-support responsibilities. The operation concerned Fawaz Younis, a Lebanese national wanted by the United States in connection with the June 1985 hijacking of Royal Jordanian Airlines Flight 402, during which American citizens had been among the passengers held. On September 13, 1987, Federal Bureau of Investigation agents operating undercover lured Younis aboard a yacht in international waters in the eastern Mediterranean and arrested him. The yacht subsequently proceeded to a prearranged rendezvous with BUTTE. Younis and federal agents were transferred aboard the ammunition ship, where he was advised of his rights and questioned.

BUTTE then proceeded toward a rendezvous with USS SARATOGA (CV 60). Younis was subsequently transferred to the carrier and flown to the United States for prosecution. Operation Goldenrod became an early case involving the use of expanded American extraterritorial criminal jurisdiction in a terrorism investigation.

During 1988, BUTTE underwent a phased maintenance availability from the spring into the second half of the year. Following the maintenance period she resumed training and preparations for another overseas deployment.

BUTTE departed on May 31, 1989, for a Mediterranean deployment lasting approximately five and one-half months. She operated as part of a Sixth Fleet deployment centered on USS CORAL SEA (CV 43). Other ships associated with the force included USS MISSISSIPPI, USS SAN JACINTO (CG 56), USS THOMAS S. GATES (CG 51), USS JOHN KING (DDG 3), USS KAUFFMAN (FFG 59), USS KLAKRING (FFG 42), USS AINSWORTH (FF 1090), USS AYLWIN (FF 1081), USS NASSAU (LHA 4), USS SHREVEPORT (LPD 12), USS BARNSTABLE COUNTY (LST 1197), USS MONONGAHELA (AO 178) and USS SHENANDOAH (AD 44).

During the turnover between carrier forces in June 1989, BUTTE participated in the redistribution of ammunition between deployed naval units. The deployment continued during a period of continuing instability and hostage-related developments in Lebanon, requiring Sixth Fleet units to maintain a significant presence in the eastern Mediterranean. BUTTE continued her logistics assignment until returning from the deployment in November 1989.

BUTTE remained active with Atlantic and Mediterranean forces during the early 1990s. One specifically documented incident from the period concerns equipment lost at Augusta Bay, Sicily. During the August 30, 1991-February 29, 1992 deployment of USS GRASP (ARS 51), the salvage ship recovered an anchor belonging to BUTTE together with approximately 450 feet of anchor chain from Augusta Bay.

By 1995, BUTTE was preparing for what would become her final overseas deployment as a commissioned U.S. Navy ship. On February 22 and February 23, she conducted underway-replenishment system qualification training with USS MITSCHER (DDG 57) near Port Canaveral, Florida. On May 1, USS DE WERT (FFG 45) conducted an ammunition vertical replenishment with BUTTE during training associated with the USS AMERICA (CV 66) battle group.

BUTTE departed on August 28, 1995, as part of the battle group centered on USS AMERICA. Other ships associated with the deployed force included USS MONTEREY (CG 61), USS NORMANDY (CG 60), USS SCOTT (DDG 995) and USS OKLAHOMA CITY (SSN 723). The deployment coincided with a decisive phase of the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina. NATO began Operation Deliberate Force on August 30, conducting an air campaign against Bosnian Serb military targets. Aircraft associated with the AMERICA battle group participated in the operation, while BUTTE provided ammunition logistics support to deployed naval forces.

On September 24, 1995, BUTTE suffered a casualty involving her main condenser and became disabled approximately 90 miles northeast of USS WHIDBEY ISLAND (LSD 41). At approximately 0400, WHIDBEY ISLAND was directed to prepare for towing operations. The amphibious ship rendezvoused with BUTTE, established a tow and proceeded toward Augusta Bay, Sicily. BUTTE was towed at approximately five knots and reached sheltered waters in less than twenty-four hours.

Following repairs, BUTTE resumed her Mediterranean assignment. During October, her crew visited Naples, Italy, where Commander Task Force 63, the Sixth Fleet logistics organization, was based. The ship also visited Cannes, France, in connection with commemorative activities honoring Admiral Francois Joseph Paul de Grasse. On October 30, USS MONTEREY conducted a vertical replenishment with BUTTE during Mediterranean operations.

During November, BUTTE spent approximately two weeks undergoing maintenance at Augusta Bay alongside USS SIMON LAKE (AS 33). Other elements of the AMERICA battle group were meanwhile preparing to move from the Mediterranean toward the Middle East. Following Exercise Bright Star, AMERICA, MONTEREY, USS MONONGAHELA and BUTTE positioned for passage through the Suez Canal. The group transited the canal southbound in November.

BUTTE subsequently operated through the Red Sea and into the Arabian Gulf region. During the passage, she carried holiday provisions intended for U.S. diplomatic facilities in Jordan, Eritrea, Yemen and Djibouti. In the Arabian Gulf, units of the AMERICA battle group supported Operation Southern Watch, the multinational effort enforcing restrictions on Iraqi military aviation over southern Iraq. BUTTE provided ammunition and logistics support during the deployment.

After leaving the Arabian Gulf, BUTTE returned through the Suez Canal to the Mediterranean and again operated in connection with the situation in the Balkans. Following the Dayton peace agreement, NATO began Operation Joint Endeavor to implement the military provisions of the settlement in Bosnia and Herzegovina. BUTTE supported naval forces operating in connection with those commitments from the Mediterranean and Adriatic. During the Christmas and New Year period, BUTTE visited Rota, Spain. In January and February 1996, she alternated between Adriatic operations and the redistribution of ammunition among Mediterranean logistics facilities. This included ammunition exchanges and the movement of ordnance no longer required at particular forward locations back through the logistics system.

During the final deployment BUTTE transferred 1,186.60 tons of ammunition, valued at more than $105 million at the time, to 34 fleet units and shore activities. Her embarked helicopters completed 176 sorties and accumulated more than 432 flight hours while also transporting personnel and mail. During the return crossing of the Atlantic in February 1996, BUTTE conducted an underway replenishment with USS AMERICA. It was the carrier's final underway replenishment before her own decommissioning later that year. BUTTE had originally been scheduled to return to Naval Weapons Station Earle on February 24, but adverse winds around Sandy Hook delayed her entry. She returned on February 27, completing the final overseas deployment of her commissioned Navy career.

On June 3, 1996, USS BUTTE was decommissioned after more than twenty-seven years of commissioned service. On the same date, she was transferred to the Military Sealift Command and placed in service as USNS BUTTE (T-AE 27). Following her transfer to the Military Sealift Command, USNS BUTTE remained part of the Navy's ammunition-logistics inventory, although her employment differed considerably from the regular deployment cycle that had characterized her commissioned service. Military Sealift Command operated the ship with civilian mariners, while a Navy military department remained assigned aboard to perform functions that required uniformed personnel. Archival records document the continued existence of this military department through the period from 1996 into 2003.

During the later 1990s, BUTTE was increasingly maintained as reserve ammunition-lift capacity rather than being continuously deployed with operating fleets. By Fiscal Year 1999, she was assigned to Reduced Operating Status 90, meaning that she was retained in a condition from which she could be returned to full service if required, but was not normally maintained at the same readiness level as continuously operating fleet auxiliaries. Maintenance and preservation work continued while BUTTE remained in reduced operating status. In September 1999, Baltimore Marine Industries received a contract valued at more than $2 million for drydocking and maintenance of the ship. The work formed part of the effort required to preserve BUTTE as an available logistics asset.

BUTTE remained in the Military Sealift Command inventory during the first years of the twenty-first century while the Navy continued to reassess its requirement for the aging KILAUEA-class ammunition ships. On May 24, 2004, USNS BUTTE was formally placed out of service and stricken from the Naval Vessel Register. The former ammunition ship was subsequently retained at Philadelphia while awaiting final disposal.

In 2006, BUTTE was selected for use as a target during fleet weapons testing off the eastern coast of the United States. The ship was subjected to a series of weapon effects during a multi-stage target exercise at the end of June. USS SAN JUAN (SSN 751) fired a Mk 48 heavyweight torpedo against the former ammunition ship during the exercise.

back to top

go to the end of the page

USS / USNS BUTTE Image Gallery:

The photos below were taken by Paul R. Shepard and show the BUTTE being sunk on June 29, 2006. A Mk-48 torpedo caused her keel and hull to break.

back to top

Back to Ammunition Ships Site.

Back to ships list.

Back to selection page.

Back to 1^st page.