Charles Lewis Butler
Lieutenant Colonel
ADV TEAM 51, HQ, MACV ADVISORS, MACV Army of the United States Grand Rapids, Michigan September 03, 1927 to June 21, 1972 CHARLES L BUTLER is on the Wall at Panel W1, Line 48 |
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From A1 to 1W -- Chuck Butler achieved his childhood dream of being a West Pointer in 1946. He left West Point in June 1950 and nearly went directly to combat in Korea. Within six months of graduation he had earned the DSC and the Purple Heart in combat, distinguishing himself in leading his task force to the relief of another unit, surviving an ambush, though heavily wounded, and successfully getting his men to safety. Though an Infantry Officer dedicated to his profession and service to country to the end, he was equally devoted to his wife and three children as they moved around repeatedly. LTC Butler served at Ft. Benning, Germany (2nd Armor), University of Mississippi (with the ROTC program), and with the Joint Brazil United States Military Group in Rio de Janeiro. At the end of that assignment, he went to Vietnam for his second tour there, serving with Advisory Team 51. With the fateful battle for the defense of Saigon taking place at An Loc, LTC Butler volunteered to fill in for a brother officer who was medevaced, and was killed on 21 June 1972 serving as advisor to the 31st Regiment, 21st Infantry Division, Army of the Republic of Vietnam. He was ten weeks short of turning 45, and three months from the end of his tour. The U.S. Army Reserve Center in Saco, Maine, was dedicated to his memory in 1973.
From his son, |
REMEMBEREDby a friend,Todd Martin II cowboysfan8219@yahoo.com |
A Note from The Virtual WallLieutenant Colonel Butler is mentioned in a memorial placed for LTC Burr Willey who also died in the siege at An Loc.
The first photo above was taken shortly before his graduation from the US Military Academy in 1950; the second before his departure for Vietnam in 1971. It should be noted this would be his second tour in Vietnam; he is wearing the ribbons for an individual award of the RVN Cross of Gallantry and the RVN Campaign medals. Just as the two photos above represent the beginning and the end of LTC Butler's service, so too do the two Citations below reflect his valor during his first and final tours in combat. He rests in Site 225, Section VII, Schofield Barracks Post Cemetery, Hawaii.
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