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Commanding Officer
USS JOHN C. BUTLER (DE 339)

^{U.S. Navy photograph}

Lieutenant Commander John Edward Pace, U.S. Navy

	Navy Cross
	Silver Star
	Legion of Merit (2)
	Combat Action Ribbon
	Presidential Unit Citation
	Navy Unit Commendation
	American Defense Service Medal
	American Campaign Medal
	Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
	World War II Victory Medal
	National Defense Service Medal
	Philippine Presidential Unit Citation
	Philippine Liberation Medal
Award Criteria

Short biography of
Captain John Edward Pace, U.S. Navy

John Edward Pace was born on 19 November 1912 in New York City.

He took command of anti-aircraft gunners at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on 7 December 1941 during the Japanese air attack.

He survived the sinking of the USS LEXINGTON (CV-2) in the Battle of the Coral Sea.

Served on USS GEORGE (DE 697) from 20 November 1943 to ????. 

Served as Commanding Officer of JOHN C. BUTLER (DE 339) at Samar and awarded the Navy Cross and Presidential Unit Citation.  He was the only destroyer escort commander in Taffy 3 who was regular Navy (not a reservist).

Still in command of BUTLER he was awarded the Silver Star for action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa, on 20 May 1945. When his ship was attacked and slightly damaged by six enemy suicide planes, Commander Pace directed his guns in shooting down three of the hostile aircraft and, by his cool leadership, saved his ship from serious damage or destruction.  BUTLER was awarded the Navy Unit Commendation for this action.

Served as CO, of USS EVANS (DD 552) from 28 August 1945 to 7 November 1945. 

Served with the Weapons Systems Evaluation Group, Office of the Director of Defense Research and Engineering, Office of the Secretary of Defense from 6 August 1964 to 1 November 1965. During this period Captain Pace made very significant contributions to studies vitally affecting national security. His extensive background of Naval experience, his knowledge of the long range objectives of the Navy and his keen foresight have significantly contributed to the accuracy, thoroughness and objectivity of all studies in which he participated. In his capacity as Chief of Staff to the Senior Navy Member, he has demonstrated a high quality of character, resourcefulness, and unusual ability in planning and organizing the Navy Group to achieve smooth and efficient performance. 

From 8 November 1965 to 15 May 1967 as Commanding Officer, U.S. Naval Station, San Juan Captain Pace was responsible for the preparation and implementation of plans to assume logistic support for all Department of Defense agencies in the San Juan area. His dynamic application of the best management techniques, in assuming these additional tasks, resulted in a significant saving of manpower. During the withdrawal of the Inter-American Peace Force from the Dominican Republic in 1966, Captain Pace provided logistic support to the Defense Attach, Santo Domingo, meeting all commitments through skillful management of the meager resources available to him.

He retired as a U.S. Navy Captain in ????

He died in Medford, Oregon on 10 January 2006.  His ashes were scattered near the ex-USS UTAH (BB-31), Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

^{Source:  Robert Jon Cox independent research and assistance from Anders Pace, Grandson.}

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