Lead unit in her class, this small, 1350 ton warship was not intended to fight direct naval engagements against heavy warships. Her maximum speed was 24 knots and her main armament consisted of two 5-inch general purpose guns, three torpedoes, and depth charges. BUTLER's duty off Samar was to lay defensive smoke in defense of the escort carriers. Nonetheless, she was ordered to conduct a torpedo attack against the heavy cruisers with her sister DE's. Unable to acquire a suitable firing position, she was the only screen ship of Taffy III not to fire her torpedoes.
