Press Release, State Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt

ALBANY – The Senate Republican Conference today wrote a letter to Governor Hochul urging her to suspend the state taxes on motor fuel and diesel. The letter is signed by State Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt and 21 other senators.

Suspending the tax would provide an estimated $0.16 per gallon cost savings to New York households who are struggling with the cost of gas prices at the pump and diesel prices indirectly through increasing prices of consumer goods.

New York is facing an affordability crisis: record high energy costs, rising gas and diesel prices, the highest-in-the-nation tax burden, and an overall cost of living that is unsustainable.

The letter reads, “The last time gasoline prices in New York reached $5 per gallon, during the Biden Administration,  the State implemented a temporary fuel tax holiday that you [Governor Hochul] strongly supported. At the time you stated:

‘Fuel prices have surged in recent months, hurting working families and small businesses  the most and it is critical that we provide New Yorkers relief by suspending certain fuel  taxes for the next seven months, New York is providing $609 million in direct relief to New  Yorkers – a critical lifeline for those who need it the most.’

In 2022, the State estimated the fuel tax suspension provided a reduction of at least $0.16 per gallon statewide.”

Currently, local officials within several counties have already adopted sales tax reductions when purchasing gas including Dutchess, Onondaga, Rockland, Putnam and Ulster counties.

The last time New York passed and implemented a gas tax holiday was in 2022, under President Biden and Governor Hochul.

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – Kylee McMullen and her brother Kole McMullen clean a Medina school bus on Thursday as part of annual Medina Jr/Sr High School “Mustangs Make an IMPACT Day.”

There were 160 students from grades 7 to 12 involved in more than 30 service projects at the school and community.

Jeff Dole, a Medina math teacher, and Chad Kowalik, a special education teacher, joined the students in washing  buses. The students in the group included Kylee and Kole McMullen, Brandon LeBron and Kam Lewandowski.

The students and teachers gathered for a group photo in the gym before dispersing on their assignments. The students had the option of volunteering for projects or taking a half day of school and going home for the second part of the day.

This group cleaned up at the Canal Village Farmers’ Market at the corner of West Center Street and West Avenue. Gail Miller, the market manager, holds a large garbage bag at right and teacher Kayla Rosenbeck and is holding a garbage bag in back.

The students helping include, from left, Ashley Brown, Lily Eggleston, Kendra Anderson and Avery Twitchell. Bonnie Lotz, a teacher aide, is in back at left.

Ashley Brown said she enjoyed shoveling the old leaves and pulling weeds rather than in class.

“It’s relaxing,” she said. “You’re outside and you’re getting some Vitamin D.”

Orleans County Historian Catherine Cooper shows this group of students the Medina Historical Society, including the dining room. Cooper pointed out the ingenuity of people from before electricity was common in homes. That cleverness was needed in baking food, cleaning clothes and doing many household tasks.

Alex Wilson, a senior, adds dirt around a grave at Boxwood Cemetery. He teamed up with Xavier Moyer and Chris Bissell to carry buckets of dirt to many of the gravesites, and then spread the dirt around. Many of the sites had dirt eroded away from the headstones.

Xavier Moyer works on spreading out dirt at gravesites.

Alyssa Johnston, left, and Natalie Herbert clean headstones at Boxwood. They scraped off moss and biological contaminants, then washed the stone and added D-2 cleaner which should have the gravestone looking very clean in about two weeks.

“I like helping out and cleaning up,” Johnston said. “It’s very satisfying.”

Savannah Jo Thompson and Brylee Christiaansen work on cleaning a headstone. Jenna Cecchini is in back. There were 13 students total doing projects at the cemetery.

ALBION – An Albion man was sentenced to 1 ½ to 3 years in state prison on Wednesday in Orleans County Court.

Stacy Moss, 36, pleaded guilty on April 1 to criminal contempt in the first degree and attempted burglary in the third degree. Moss, formerly of Medina, is a second-felony offender.

The charges originated in the Town of Shelby on November 14, 2025. Moss, in an April 1 county court appearance, admitted to going to the residence of a person he was supposed to not have contact with through an order of protection. He went to that residence on Nov. 14 and he acknowledged he tried to break down her door and threatened to kill her. He admitted to violating the order of protection.

Judge Sanford Church gave Moss the maximum sentence in a plea agreement.

In other cases in county court:

• Michael White, 22, of Albion was sentenced to six months in the county jail and five years probation for attempted criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree.

White was charged on Sept. 15 after he allegedly had a 20-round magazine in his backpack and pulled his hands away when law enforcement attempted to handcuff him. He also allegedly tried to strike an officer with his elbows.

White previously admitted in court to having the large-capacity device that could hold more than 20 rounds.

• Mark Underwood pleaded guilty to E felony DWI, and could face time in jail and on probation when he is sentenced on July 22.

He was charged on November 26, 2025 after registering a Blood Alcohol Content of .10 percent in Albion.

• Timothy Ausman Jr., 56, of Albion had bail set at $10,000 cash, $20,000 insurance bond and $50,000 ten percent partially secured bail bond.

He appeared in court after being arrested in Albion on May 18 on numerous charges including criminal mischief in the second degree, aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle 1st, DWI, fleeing a police officer, and reckless endangerment 2nd.

Ausman damaged two Albion patrol vehicles after refusing to stop when he was observed driving recklessly in the village. He next appears in the Town of Albion Court on May 26.

Press Release, State Assemblyman Steve Hawley

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C-Batavia) welcomed the inclusion of a five-year delay to New York’s zero-emission school bus mandate in the state education budget bill, calling it an important step toward protecting taxpayers and easing financial pressure on local school districts.

Under the budget agreement, the requirement that school districts and transportation providers purchase only zero-emission school buses will now be delayed from 2027 until 2032. The deadline for all school buses in operation to be zero-emission vehicles will also be pushed back from 2035 until 2040. Hawley said the delay will provide much-needed flexibility for districts already struggling with rising costs and tight budgets.

“This is a step in the right direction and reflects the concerns many of us have been raising for years,” Hawley said. “School districts simply cannot afford the enormous costs associated with this mandate, especially in rural and upstate communities where infrastructure challenges and harsh winter conditions create additional obstacles. Delaying these deadlines will help protect taxpayers from major cost increases while giving districts more time to plan.”

Hawley added that while the delay is welcome news, the issue is far from resolved, and local school districts should ultimately have the ability to decide what transportation solutions work best for their communities.

“I believe our school districts deserve flexibility, not costly one-size-fits-all mandates,” Hawley said. “While this delay provides important relief, many rural and upstate districts still face serious concerns about infrastructure costs, long-term affordability and whether this technology can reliably meet their transportation needs. I will continue pushing for policies that give school districts the ability to opt out and make the decisions that work best for their students, taxpayers and communities.”

Press Release, NYS Department of Transportation

 YATES – The New York State Department of Transportation is advising motorists that State Route 18 (also known as Roosevelt Highway) in the Town of Yates, Orleans County, will be closed to all traffic between Route 269/County Line Road and Murdock Road beginning at 6 a.m. Tuesday, May 26, to accommodate a culvert replacement project.

Motorists should follow posted detours using Route 18, Route 269, Route 104 and Route 63. The road is expected to be reopened by the end of June.

Motorists should anticipate travel delays during this time and are advised to seek alternate routes if necessary. Construction activities are weather dependent and subject to change based on conditions.

Motorists are urged to slow down and drive responsibly in work zones. Fines are doubled for speeding in a work zone. Convictions of two or more speeding violations in a work zone could result in the suspension of an individual’s driver license.

Police say Timothy Ausman Jr. was highly intoxicated while driving on sidewalks, road shoulders

Press Release, Albion Police Chief David Mogle

Timothy Ausman Jr.

ALBION – The Albion Police Department reports the arrest of Timothy Ausman Jr. following multiple incidents throughout the Village of Albion on May 18, culminating in a vehicle pursuit and collisions involving patrol vehicles.

At approximately 7:14 a.m. on May 18, Albion Police Officers responded to Crosby’s North regarding a reported larceny involving four alcoholic beverages. Timothy Ausman Jr., 56, was subsequently arrested in connection with that incident and released on an appearance ticket per NYS Bail Reform. Officers observed Ausman to be visibly intoxicated at the time, displaying impaired motor skills, slurred speech, glossy eyes, and the odor of an alcoholic beverage.

At approximately 10:04 a.m., officers were again dispatched to 301 Hamilton St. for reports of a male banging on doors and harassing residents for money. Officers identified the individual as Ausman. During this interaction, officers observed that Ausman appeared significantly more intoxicated than during the earlier incident. He was then instructed to return home.

Shortly thereafter, officers observed Ausman enter and operate a red Chevrolet Trailblazer. When officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop, Ausman failed to comply and fled from officers through portions of the Village of Albion. Officers initiated a pursuit with emergency lights and sirens activated.

During the pursuit, Ausman allegedly failed to stop at multiple stop signs, drove on road shoulders and sidewalks, operated recklessly through residential neighborhoods, and repeatedly refused commands to stop his vehicle. Officers attempted multiple controlled tactics to slow and stop the vehicle due to concerns for public safety and the belief that he was highly intoxicated driving near residential areas and public parks.

The pursuit concluded on South Clinton Street after Ausman allegedly struck a patrol vehicle and lost control while entering a residential property. Officers then took Ausman into custody without further incident. During the arrest, officers recovered an open alcoholic beverage container from inside the vehicle.

Following the arrest, officers administered Standardized Field Sobriety Tests, during which Ausman displayed multiple indicators of intoxication. Ausman refused to submit to a Chemical Breath Test after being advised of the consequences of refusal.

No civilians were injured during the incident. Two Albion Police Department patrol vehicles sustained extensive damage, with one vehicle requiring towing from the scene. Ausman was then transported to the Orleans County Jail for arraignment pursuant to NYS Bail Reform.

Timothy Ausman Jr. has been charged with the following offenses:

• Criminal Mischief in the Second Degree (Class D Felony)
• Aggravated Unlicensed Operation in the First Degree (Class E Felony)
• Unlawful Fleeing a Police Officer in a Motor Vehicle in the Third Degree (Class A Misdemeanor)
• Obstructing Governmental Administration in the Second Degree (Class A Misdemeanor)
• Reckless Endangerment in the Second Degree (Class A Misdemeanor)
• Driving While Intoxicated – First Offense (Misdemeanor)
• Reckless Driving (Misdemeanor)
• Failure to Yield Right of Way to an Emergency Vehicle (Traffic Infraction)
• Moving From Lane Unsafely (Traffic Infraction)
• Operating a Motor Vehicle by an Unlicensed Driver (Traffic Infraction)
• Operating a Motor Vehicle Without Insurance (Traffic Infraction)
• Operating a Motor Vehicle Without a Valid Inspection Certificate (Traffic Infraction)
• Driving on or Across a Sidewalk (Traffic Infraction)
• Speed in Zone Violation (Traffic Infraction)
• Drinking Alcohol or Using Cannabis in a Motor Vehicle on a Highway (Traffic Infraction)
• Failure to Stop at a Stop Sign (2 counts) (Traffic Infraction)
• Unsafe Turn / Failure to Signal (2 counts) (Traffic Infraction)
• Failure to Keep Right (Traffic Infraction)
• Failure to Wear Seatbelt (Traffic Infraction)

The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office assisted at the scene, including accident investigation and aerial drone photography documentation. This incident remains under investigation.

Anyone with additional information related to this incident is encouraged to contact the Albion Police Department.

Photos courtesy of NYS Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services: Mackenzie Rider-Work of the Medina Fire Department is shown at Academy of Fire Science in Montour Falls.

A Medina firefighter is among the 25 graduates of the latest class at the Academy of Fire Science in Montour Falls.

Mackenzie Rider-Work of the Medina FD completed a 15-week residential program that provides extensive fire service training in an environment like a full-time fire department. Upon graduation, all the recruits will serve as career firefighters in their respective fire departments. There are firefighters from 14 departments in the latest class.

“Congratulations to the graduates of the 93rd Recruit Firefighter training class,” said Terry O’Leary, acting commissioner of the NYS Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services. “Firefighters across New York put their lives on the line every day to keep their communities safe. Today, these men and women join the ranks of the thousands of brave and dedicated individuals who protect their communities — we wish them well as they begin their careers and thank them for their service.”

During the 15-week program, recruits participate in more than 600 hours of training in both classroom and practical settings. Classes focus on areas such as structural, vehicle and flammable liquid firefighting, emergency vehicle operations, hazardous material emergency incident and basic rescue technician operations, according to a press release from NYS Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services.

Recruits also participate in daily physical fitness training in preparation for the Candidate Physical Ability Test. Upon completion, graduates will have received national certification from the National Board of Fire Service Professional Qualifications in Firefighter I, Firefighter II, and Hazardous Materials Operations.

Today’s graduates received training in areas such as operating aerial devices; traffic incident management to keep firefighters safe on roadways; health and safety; firefighter rescue; hazardous materials response, and technical rescue. During the training program, students use iPads and physical books to provide them with greater access and flexibility to testing, as well as study materials.

The graduates represented the following departments: Brighton, Cortland, DeWitt, Dunkirk, Elmira, Fairview, Fredonia, Hornell, Ithaca, Lackawanna, Lockport, Medina, Middletown and Oswego.

Provided photos

CLARENDON – Boy Scout Troop 59 in Clarendon placed about 600 American flags at the graves of veterans at Hillside Cemetery on Wednesday evening.

Pictured at top: (Left) James Shaw places a flag at a veteran’s grave at Hillside Cemetery. (Center) Tyler Moore has several flags to place at the gravesites of veterans. (Right) Ken Shaw joined in the effort of placing flags to honor veterans with Memorial Day coming up on Monday.

From left include Scott Galliford, American Legion; Dave Arnold, former Cub Scout leader and Navy veteran; James Shaw, scout; Tyler Moore, scout; Randy Moore, scoutmaster; and Ken Shaw, committee chairman. Logan Lane (not pictured) also was part of the effort.

Robbie Weit took this photo of a deer. This image was the November cover in Orleans County’s 2026 calendar put together by the county tourism department.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is reporting hunters harvested 227,032 white-tailed deer during the 2025-26 hunting seasons, 2 percent more than the 2024 season and within 1 percent of the 5-year average.

The DEC recorded 4,494 deer taken in Orleans County in 2025, including 1,911 adult male, 232 male fawn, 2,087 adult female, and 264 female fawn.

The DEC documented widespread adoption of crossbows following an amendment to the Environmental Conservation Law in 2025 that allowed deer hunters to use a crossbow in the same seasons, places, and manner as a vertical bow.

In 2025, crossbows accounted for 55% of the total archery season deer harvest. For comparison, in 2024, crossbows accounted for 33% of the total archery harvest, the DEC reported.

“It is clear that deer hunters took advantage of expanded crossbow hunting opportunities this past season,” said DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton. “We are pleased that more hunters can participate in New York’s archery deer seasons and contribute to effective deer management into the future. The results from this past season continue to demonstrate that New York has much to offer for deer hunters.”

NYS calculated deer take in recent year:

• 2025 – 227,032
• 2024 – 223,304
• 2023 – 209,781
• 2022 – 231,961
• 2021 – 211,269
• 2020 – 253,990
• 2019 – 224,190

The biggest year in recorded history is 2002 with 308,216 deer harvested.

Other highlights from the 2025 report include:

• The 2025 antlered buck harvest of 120,909 was 1% less than 2024, but finally passed a landmark in buck age structure. For the first time in modern history, New York hunters harvested as many 3.5-year-old or older bucks (28.1%) as yearling bucks (28.0%). For comparison, 25 years ago only 10% of harvested bucks in New York were 3.5 years old or older and 67% were 1.5 years old.
• The 2025 antlerless deer harvest of 106,123 was up 5% from 2024. However, antlerless deer harvest throughout much of New York was still below what is necessary to achieve deer population objectives, the DEC said.
• No wild deer tested positive out of 3,050 tests for Chronic Wasting Disease, as efforts continue to “Keep NY’s wild deer CWD-free.”
• 530,808: The number of licensed NY hunters during the 2025 deer hunting seasons, an estimated 85% of whom actively participated in deer hunting.
• 11%: The estimated percentage of hunters who used the newly-offered E-tags for all of their 2025 deer hunting. An additional 19% of hunters used a combination of E-tags and paper tags throughout the hunting seasons.
• 63%: The portion of successful deer hunters reporting their harvest as required by law. This is well above the five-year average of 49%.
• 2,567: The estimated deer harvest by 12–15-year-old hunters during the Youth Firearms Season.

Robyn Ottaviano sent in this photo of the “Pretty in Pink!” sunset from Wednesday evening in Medina. She stunning sunset is reflected in the Erie Canal.

The forecast for the next few days includes a high of 57 today, when it’s mostly cloudy and then becoming sunny.

Friday it will be partly sunny with a high near 62, followed by rain on Saturday with a high near 60.

Sunday there are likely showers with a high near 72 followed by a cloudy Memorial Day on Monday with a high near 73.

Debbie Taylor took this photo of the sunset in East Shelby, or “God’s country.”

LYNDONVILLE – The Lyndonville Board of Education has scheduled a special meeting for 6 p.m. on Friday to discuss the next steps after the district’s proposed budget was defeated in a public vote on Tuesday.

The meeting on Friday will be in Jr./Sr. High School Library.

The district’s proposed $19,194,000 budget was voted down with 172 opposed and 129 votes in favor.

The budget would have increased spending by 9.8 percent or by $1,719,670  from the $17,474,330 in 2025-26. The tax levy in the proposed budget would increase by 2.5 percent from $4,758,692 to $4,877,659.

A contingency budget would mean reducing spending by another $266,495 to get the budget to $18,927,505.

Provided photo: from left, Foster Parent of the Year Michelle Lewis and DSS staff members Lianna Sheffer and Lizzy Boring.

Press Release, Orleans County Department of Social Services

ALBION – As part of Foster Care Awareness Month, the Orleans County Department of Social Services held its annual Foster Parent Appreciation Dinner on Monday night at Dubby’s Tailgate in Albion to recognize the individuals and families who provide safe, supportive, and nurturing homes for children in need.

The evening was coordinated through the efforts of the department’s Homefinder, Elizabeth “Lizzy” Boring, and Foster Care/Preventive Supervisor, Lianna Sheffer, whose work helped create a meaningful opportunity to celebrate and thank local foster families.

During the evening, Michelle and Cory Lewis were honored with the Foster Parents of the Year Award in recognition of their dedication, compassion, and commitment to children and families.

“Their willingness to open their home and heart reflects the important role foster parents play in the lives of children experiencing difficult circumstances,” said Dr. Cyndi Stumer, Deputy Commissioner of Orleans County DSS.

While the evening was a celebration of those already serving as foster parents, it also highlighted an important community need. Orleans County, like many communities across the state and country, continues to experience a shortage of foster homes.

“Foster care is about much more than providing a place for a child to stay — it is about providing safety, stability, support, and hope,” said Stumer. “Our foster parents step forward during some of the most difficult moments in a child’s life, and we are incredibly grateful for them. As we recognize Foster Care Awareness Month, we also encourage members of our community to consider whether fostering may be right for them. One caring home can make a lasting difference.”

The Orleans County Department of Social Services said it extends its appreciation to all foster families and staff who work together to support children and strengthen families throughout our community.

For those interested in learning more about becoming a foster parent, please contact Lizzy at 585-589-3161 or visit the county website to fill out the Foster Care Inquiry Form (click here).

Bradley Pierce of Albion, Colton Smith  and Camdeon Wittcop-Howes of Lyndonville earn associate’s degrees before high school graduation

Press Release, Genesee Community College

BATAVIA – On May 16, Genesee Community College celebrated its 58th annual commencement ceremony with a group of seven students from area high schools deserving special mention.

They completed their GCC degree requirements concurrently with their high school diplomas or New York State High School Equivalency. These graduates participated in the eighth annual cohort of the Excel Program (formerly Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Enrichment Program) through GCC’s Accelerated College Enrollment (ACE) Office.

These high-achieving individuals include the following: Peyton Hudson (Perry), Evelyn LaWall (Warsaw), Bradley Pierce (Albion), Gemma Reinhard (Greece Athena), Colton Smith (Lyndonville), Hunter Tobolski (Oakfield) and Camdeon Wittcop-Howes (Lyndonville).

The Excel program began in 2012 allowing the students to start their college studies as early as the seventh grade. In addition to their traditional schoolwork, they enrolled in college level coursework each year taking advantage of many academic opportunities and successfully completing all of the rigorous challenges of an associate degree.

“We are incredibly proud of these outstanding students who have achieved the remarkable milestone of earning both their high school diplomas and GCC degrees. Their dedication, perseverance, and commitment to academic excellence reflect the transformative impact of early college opportunities and serve as an inspiration to future students pursuing their educational goals,” said Ann Valento, director of Accelerated College Enrollment programs at Genesee Community College.

Kaitlyn Harloff, Excel program coordinator at Genesee Community College, added, “These students have demonstrated an exceptional ability to thrive in a rigorous academic environment while balancing the demands of high school and college coursework. Their success highlights the strength of the Excel Enrichment Program and the dedication of our faculty and staff who support students every step of the way.”

Genesee Community College’s 58th annual Commencement Ceremony was held at the Richard C. Call Arena on GCC’s Batavia Campus. To view the ceremony, click here.

(Left) The current sign for Butts Park at 1127 South Main St. is a wooden sign. (Right) The new sign will have a metal exterior with a portrait of John Butts, a recipient of the Medal of Honor for bravery during World War II.

MEDINA – There will soon be a new sign along South Main Street for Butts Park.

The new sign will go over the current wooden sign. The new one will have a metal exterior and will include a portrait of Lt. John Butts, who was awarded the Medal of Honor for bravery during World War II.

Butts was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for “courage, unflinching valor and inspiring actions” in Normandy, France on June 23, 1944.

The new sign will be made by The Print Shop and it is being funded by Rick Drilling. Chris Busch, chairman of the Orleans Renaissance Group, shepherded the project.

The Medina Village Board approved the new sign on Monday during its board meeting.

“That will be lovely,” Mayor Debbie Padoleski said about the new sign. “Thank you to Rick Drilling for that.”

Butts is one of five Medal of Honor recipients from Orleans County and the only one to be awarded it posthumously.

Butts was a Boy Scout and played right guard for the Medina High School football team before enlisting with the New York National Guard on Oct. 12, 1939.

Former Orleans County Historian Matthew Ballard researched the Medal of Honor recipients from Orleans County. He shared the following details in a previous column when he was historian:

When Company F of the 108th Infantry was federalized, Butts was 17 years old and lied about his age in order to join. He was sent to Hawaii in the months following the attack at Pearl Harbor and later returned to the mainland in November of 1942 to enroll in the Officer Candidate School at Ft. Benning, Georgia. Butts graduated from the school, commissioned as a Second Lieutenant at the age of 19; he was believed to be the youngest commissioned officer in the U.S. Army Ground Forces at that time.

His service overseas began in North Africa with the invasion of French Morocco as part of Operation Torch, where the 60th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Battalion encountered heavy resistance from German forces at an ancient fortress called “the Kasba.” The 9th Infantry Division earned its first Presidential Unit Citation during the Battle of Sedjenane when the unit repulsed a four-pronged attack from two German infantry battalions. Butts was then sent to participate in the invasion of Sicily, landing at Palermo on August 5, 1943 and remaining on the ground there until November of 1943.

After seven months of training at Winchester, England in preparation for the Allied invasion of mainland Europe, the 60th Infantry Regiment landed at Utah Beach just five days after the D-Day landing. Butts was placed in command of four squads in Easy Company of the 60th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Battalion, 9th Infantry Division charged with driving towards St. Colombe, France.

On June 12, 1944, 2nd Battalion progressed so quickly towards their objective that the remainder of 9th Division thought the 60th Infantry was lost. In fact, 2nd Battalion had pushed forward through heavy German resistance and established a bridgehead at the Douve River. Butts was wounded twice, first near Orglandes on June 14th and then at the Douve River just two days later; he refused medical treatment on both occasions in order to remain with his men.

On June 23, 1944, the 60th Infantry led the 9th Division’s advance from the Cotentin Peninsula as part of the breakout from St. Lo. While moving towards Flottemanville-Hague, Butts and his men encountered a German stronghold atop a hill, well defended with tanks, machine guns, and mortars. Butts was struck in the stomach by machine gun fire while progressing towards the objective. Pulling himself into the shelter of a nearby hedgerow, he planned a flanking maneuver with his Sergeants.

One squad was to progress up the left flank, another up the right flank, and the third was to remain in reserve. Holding one hand over his midsection and the other grasping his carbine, Butts charged the hill alone. The might of the entire German stronghold fell upon him directly, Butts falling approximately 10 yards from his objective. The distraction allowed the two flanking squads to outmaneuver the Germans while the third squad hit the hill head-on.

Awarded on July 19, 1945 by President Harry Truman, John Butts’ Medal of Honor citation references the two painful wounds he received in the days leading up to the deadly assault on June 23, 1944. His citation concluded by stating, “By his superb courage, unflinching valor and inspiring actions, 2d Lt. Butts enabled his platoon to take a formidable strong point and contributed greatly to the success of his battalion’s mission.” His brother, Charles, who visited John’s body wrote home to their parents, “John’s life reached a glorious end. It terminated exactly as John hoped it would – while performing magnificently in the face of the enemy…in an effort to relieve pressure on his men and buddies.”

The body of John Butts was interred at the U.S. Cemetery at Ste-Mere-Eglise on June 25, 1944. On April 8, 1948, his body was disinterred and sent home for burial at Medina. His body arrived in Buffalo on July 7, 1948 at the Connecticut Street Armory along with the remains of two other Medal of Honor recipients, Pfc. William Grabiarz and Pfc. Charles DeGlopper. He was buried in the family plot at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Medina.