http://history06.smugmug.com/gallery/8704842_d7YCm/ Joel Tumlin contacted the 87th gallery asking about info on his great Uncle, Sgt. First Class Richard Leonard Butler: I am researching my Great Uncle’s time in the war. He served in the 549th AAA AW. From your photo gallery/info on Battery C – I see that he was not in this Battery. Richard died when I was three years old. Here is the most accurate information I have on my great uncle. All of this information about Richard comes from his youngest brother, Robert O. Butler, who passed in 2006. Bob gave me all of Richard's medals from WWII. I have them along with several of his pictures in a shadow box in my home. I have two young daughters that I want to tell as much about his service to this great country as possible. I am aware that many of that generation do not consider themselves as heroes. I have a different opinion. This country is the greatest on earth because of their sacrifices. I want to know all I can about my great Uncle's service. Please post these photos and information. I hope to discover what Battery of the 549th that Richard did serve with, Maybe someone who knew him, who served in the same Battery, Or who could guide me to find more information. Around two years ago, I e-mailed a gentleman named Walter Clarke who told me he was in the 549th AAA HQ Battery, Medical Detachment- he added Btn Surgeons Assistant, Lt., Medical Officer. He gave me some information about the units activity during the Battle of the Bulge and the fight for Metz, France. I can not find anything more than this. I know that there was a fire that destroyed many military records in St. Louis around 1973. I do not know if any of Richard's records could be found elsewhere or if they exist. I want to honor this relative, who probably would just say he did nothing extraordinary, but just did his job. Thanks from One Proud American, Joel Tumlin Chelsea, Alabama 35043 jtgobama (at) hotmail.com ==== Richard Leonard Butler DOB 4-2-24 in St. Louis, MO. He graduated from high school in 1941. He worked briefly at Brashear Truck Lines before he was drafted in 1941 at age 18. He was assigned to the 549th AAA Bn and trained at Camp Edwards, MA. Richard was not selected to participate in the D-Day landing. He was billeted in "Littlecote Manor" during his stay in England. Later, he entered France through LeHavre and was assigned to Patton's Third Army. He was awarded the Bronze Star for his action during the Battle of the Bulge. Uncle Bob said that Richard had a copy of a Christmas card with Patton’s weather prayer. Unfortunately, the letter's whereabouts are unknown. Richard also was a part of the liberation of the Buchenwald death camp. Upon Germany's surrender, Richard served as an expediter in an effort to return troops to the states. Uncle Bob said that Rich processed a full bird colonel, who was 22 years old. This was a unusual situation where all of his superior officers were killed or wounded. Richard worked at a embarkation port in France named the "Pall Mall" (named for cigarettes). Richard was given a luger and holster by a surrendering German officer. At one time, it was given to his oldest brother and my grandfather, Paul Butler. My grandfather either sold or traded it- it hurts thinking about it today. Richard also served in the Korean War with his younger brother, Bob. My grandfather Paul was the oldest brother. (Granddad Paul was turned down for military service due to a hearing injury he sustained as a child that impaired his hearing throughout his lifetime. Paul did work for NASA and played a role in helping the US put a man on the moon.) After the war, Richard worked for the railroad. . Richard is buried in Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St. Louis, MO. Richard’s service number was 37610091. His rank was Sgt. First Class (3 up, two down). Uncle Bob closed these notes with the statement that Richard, "..in his point of view was the greatest soldier that ever wore the uniform." To see all photos submitted from many about the 87th Infantry Division, or to submit yours, go to: http://history06.smugmug.com and For info on 87th Infantry Division Association: http://www.87thinfantrydivision.com http://www.smugmug.com/img/feed-icon.png World War II Sat, 27 Jun 2009 10:36:02 -0700 Sat, 27 Jun 2009 10:41:30 -0700 http://www.smugmug.com/ Copyright 2009, the copyright holder of each photograph. Some portions copyright SmugMug. All rights reserved. http://history06.smugmug.com/World-War-II/Sgt-First-Class-Richard/Butler-shadow-box-in-honor/575332596_TRCj9-Ti.jpg http://history06.smugmug.com/gallery/8704842_d7YCm/ http://history06.smugmug.com/World-War-II/Sgt-First-Class-Richard/8704842_d7YCm#575332574_wrofw <p><a href="http://history06.smugmug.com">history06</a><br />Sgt. First Class Richard Leonard Butler Joel Tumlin contacted the 87th gallery asking about info on his great Uncle: Sgt. First Class Richard Leonard Butler: I am researching my Grea ...</p><p><a href="http://history06.smugmug.com/World-War-II/Sgt-First-Class-Richard/8704842_d7YCm#575332574_wrofw" title="Sgt. First Class Richard Leonard Butler Joel Tumlin contacted the 87th gallery asking about info on his great Uncle: Sgt. First Class Richard Leonard Butler: I am researching my Grea ..."><img src="http://history06.smugmug.com/World-War-II/Sgt-First-Class-Richard/shadowbox370/575332574_wrofw-Th.jpg" width="150" height="150" alt="Sgt. First Class Richard Leonard Butler Joel Tumlin contacted the 87th gallery asking about info on his great Uncle: Sgt. First Class Richard Leonard Butler: I am researching my Grea ..." title="Sgt. First Class Richard Leonard Butler Joel Tumlin contacted the 87th gallery asking about info on his great Uncle: Sgt. First Class Richard Leonard Butler: I am researching my Grea ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p> World War II Sat, 27 Jun 2009 10:41:28 -0700 nobody@smugmug.com (history06) http://history06.smugmug.com/World-War-II/Sgt-First-Class-Richard/shadowbox370/575332574_wrofw-Th.jpg 2009-06-21 10:37:05 a6b4994a72b5050f7a95d9568c1b938b 4b070abd27b196f169114eecc7506118 42ef4cb4fa72dfc0e5f473d567bbfc21 855ce000bdb802d15d9f66254c0a5588 276b55b4535400db4be44f1bac6a4e9b aecb6e27aca1a5746cb09a607dd406e5 f8623de79f0220e0636bb0c8e95d5ea4 4943cc7a3370d910862a3a234e5aa7c5 d394f598aa430f19508a3e8d7d692365 Sgt. First Class Richard Leonard Butler Joel Tumlin contacted the 87th gallery asking about info on his great Uncle: Sgt. First Class Richard Leonard Butler: I am researching my Grea ... <p><a href="http://history06.smugmug.com">history06</a><br />Sgt. First Class Richard Leonard Butler Joel Tumlin contacted the 87th gallery asking about info on his great Uncle: Sgt. First Class Richard Leonard Butler: I am researching my Grea ...</p><p><a href="http://history06.smugmug.com/World-War-II/Sgt-First-Class-Richard/8704842_d7YCm#575332574_wrofw" title="Sgt. First Class Richard Leonard Butler Joel Tumlin contacted the 87th gallery asking about info on his great Uncle: Sgt. First Class Richard Leonard Butler: I am researching my Grea ..."><img src="http://history06.smugmug.com/World-War-II/Sgt-First-Class-Richard/shadowbox370/575332574_wrofw-Th.jpg" width="150" height="150" alt="Sgt. First Class Richard Leonard Butler Joel Tumlin contacted the 87th gallery asking about info on his great Uncle: Sgt. First Class Richard Leonard Butler: I am researching my Grea ..." title="Sgt. First Class Richard Leonard Butler Joel Tumlin contacted the 87th gallery asking about info on his great Uncle: Sgt. First Class Richard Leonard Butler: I am researching my Grea ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p> World War II sgt. first class richard leonard butler history06 history06 http://history06.smugmug.com/World-War-II/Sgt-First-Class-Richard/8704842_d7YCm#575332596_TRCj9 <p><a href="http://history06.smugmug.com">history06</a><br />Sgt. First Class Richard Leonard Butler Shadow box: Joel Tumlin contacted the 87th gallery asking about info on his great Uncle: Sgt. First Class Richard Leonard Butler: I am resea ...</p><p><a href="http://history06.smugmug.com/World-War-II/Sgt-First-Class-Richard/8704842_d7YCm#575332596_TRCj9" title="Sgt. First Class Richard Leonard Butler Shadow box: Joel Tumlin contacted the 87th gallery asking about info on his great Uncle: Sgt. First Class Richard Leonard Butler: I am resea ..."><img src="http://history06.smugmug.com/World-War-II/Sgt-First-Class-Richard/Butler-shadow-box-in-honor/575332596_TRCj9-Th.jpg" width="150" height="150" alt="Sgt. First Class Richard Leonard Butler Shadow box: Joel Tumlin contacted the 87th gallery asking about info on his great Uncle: Sgt. First Class Richard Leonard Butler: I am resea ..." title="Sgt. First Class Richard Leonard Butler Shadow box: Joel Tumlin contacted the 87th gallery asking about info on his great Uncle: Sgt. First Class Richard Leonard Butler: I am resea ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p> World War II Sat, 27 Jun 2009 10:41:30 -0700 nobody@smugmug.com (history06) http://history06.smugmug.com/World-War-II/Sgt-First-Class-Richard/Butler-shadow-box-in-honor/575332596_TRCj9-Th.jpg 2009-06-21 10:36:47 2c19d56e22bf623b42c9c0cc21739fcc b6fb94c9aa99f41c23be4492e0a595c5 4c8fcfbab5d15bd3df8cb03e133ea1a1 c2c36f5efdf674294fa410ccd681dabc b04b848cad3d384d4730b25fde3285e7 c969e11d997bac1e21551cc33669cb30 b61e56a7d85634c58e8809357358d005 b73e8a32872d62a4596ded8aa29ab852 b8948bb32960fff7faa43dbd51d65d71 Sgt. First Class Richard Leonard Butler Shadow box: Joel Tumlin contacted the 87th gallery asking about info on his great Uncle: Sgt. First Class Richard Leonard Butler: I am resea ... <p><a href="http://history06.smugmug.com">history06</a><br />Sgt. First Class Richard Leonard Butler Shadow box: Joel Tumlin contacted the 87th gallery asking about info on his great Uncle: Sgt. First Class Richard Leonard Butler: I am resea ...</p><p><a href="http://history06.smugmug.com/World-War-II/Sgt-First-Class-Richard/8704842_d7YCm#575332596_TRCj9" title="Sgt. First Class Richard Leonard Butler Shadow box: Joel Tumlin contacted the 87th gallery asking about info on his great Uncle: Sgt. First Class Richard Leonard Butler: I am resea ..."><img src="http://history06.smugmug.com/World-War-II/Sgt-First-Class-Richard/Butler-shadow-box-in-honor/575332596_TRCj9-Th.jpg" width="150" height="150" alt="Sgt. First Class Richard Leonard Butler Shadow box: Joel Tumlin contacted the 87th gallery asking about info on his great Uncle: Sgt. First Class Richard Leonard Butler: I am resea ..." title="Sgt. First Class Richard Leonard Butler Shadow box: Joel Tumlin contacted the 87th gallery asking about info on his great Uncle: Sgt. First Class Richard Leonard Butler: I am resea ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p> World War II sgt. first class richard leonard butler history06 history06