Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Daniel
Adams
Butterfield
October 31, 1831

–

July 17, 1901

Cemetery:

US Military Academy Cemetery

During the Peninsula Campaign General Butterfield with assistance from his bugler Oliver Norton, wrote a song that became known as taps. Originally used to signal the close of day and time for the troops to put out the lights for the night, “Taps” became a soldier’s salute to his fallen comrades. Today it is not only played during ceremonies to lower the flag at days end, but is used in military funerals as the final salute of the living to those who have served and passed on “into the night”.

Awards Received

  • Medal of Honor

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Brigadier General

    Division:

    U.S. Volunteers

    Action Date:

    June 27, 1862
    Date of Issue: September 26, 1892

    The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Brigadier General Daniel Adams Butterfield, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism on 27 June 1862, while serving with U.S. Volunteers, in action at Gaines Mill, Virginia. Brigadier General Butterfield seized the colors of the 83d Pennsylvania Volunteers at a critical moment and, under a galling fire of the enemy, encouraged the depleted ranks to renewed exertion.