USS Butte (APA-68)

The USS Butte (APA-68) was a Gilliam-class attack transport that served with the US Navy during World War II. She was named after Butte County, South Dakota. APA-68 was laid down on 15 December 1944 by Consolidated Steel Corporation, Wilmington, California; launched on 20 February 1945; sponsored by Mrs. Arthur R. Ritter; and commissioned on 19 May 1945, Commander William C. Fitz-Gibbon in command.

Following shakedown off San Diego, Butte loaded passengers at San Pedro and sailed for Pearl Harbor on 22 June. Upon her arrival on 28 June, she discharged her passengers and underwent further training until 24 July when she embarked elements of the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division. On 25 July, she sailed for Nagasaki.

Butte arrived off Nagasaki on 27 August, two weeks after the atomic bombing of the city. She landed her troops and remained off Nagasaki assisting occupation forces until 12 September. She then steamed to Sasebo, where she embarked homeward-bound passengers, and sailed for the United States on 21 September.

Arriving at San Francisco on 6 October, Butte disembarked her passengers and, on 27 October, sailed for the east coast, arriving at Norfolk, Virginia on 13 November. She then began operations with the Amphibious Training Command until 15 January 1946, when she sailed for New York.

Butte decommissioned at New York on 6 March 1946 and was returned to the War Shipping Administration the following day. Her name was struck from the Navy List on 12 April 1946, and she was sold for scrapping on 19 December 1947 to the Boston Metals Co., Baltimore, Maryland.

Butte earned one battle star for World War II service.