The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Chief Warrant Officer Two (CW-2) Richard E. Butler, Jr. (ASN: W-3154137), United States Army, for heroism while participating in aerial flight evidenced by voluntary action above and beyond the call of duty while serving with the 189th Assault Helicopter Company, 1st Aviation Brigade, in action on 30 January 1968. Chief Warrant Officer Butler distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions while serving as Pilot of an armed helicopter in a combat operation at Kontum. Upon arriving, he spotted mortar and machine gun positions and immediately directed the flight to the enemy positions. He placed deadly accurate mini-gun fire and directed his crews’ fire towards suppressing the enemy. After expending his ordnance, the gunship landed at Kontum to re-arm and re-fuel. The ships were directed to proceed to a suspected enemy rocket battalion emplacement northeast of Kontum. On one firing pass, Chief Warrant Officer Butler’s aircraft was hit by a 37-mm. explosive round, and he received multiple wounds in his left leg. He permitted evacuation only after the fire team had expended their ordnance. As a result of his efforts, the ground attack on Kontum was disrupted and many lives were saved. His actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Warrant Officer (W-1) Richard E. Butler, Jr. (ASN: W-3154137), United States Army, for heroism while participating in aerial flight evidenced by voluntary action above and beyond the call of duty while serving with the 189th Assault Helicopter Company, 1st Aviation Brigade on 30 January 1968. Warrant Officer Butler distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions while performing the mission of gun team leader and aircraft commander of an armed helicopter in support of a special forces team deep in enemy held jungles west of Dak To, Republic of Vietnam. The leading insert ship drew heavy automatic weapons fire wounding the pilot and almost totally disabling the ship. He brought his ship in to suppress the fire on the injured ship. After getting the troop ship safely out of the area, he returned to make the heaviest ground fire area with smoke to facilitate air strikes by the Air Force. Because of this heroic action by Warrant Officer Butler the troop ships had a safe return. Bravery and effectiveness in the face of enemy fire was a major factor in the success of the mission. His actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Chief Warrant Officer Two (CW-2) Richard E. Butler, Jr. (ASN: W-3154137), United States Army, for heroism while participating in aerial flight evidenced by voluntary action above and beyond the call of duty while serving with the 189th Assault Helicopter Company, 1st Aviation Brigade, in action on 19 April 1968. Chief Warrant Officer Butler distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions while serving as an aircraft commander on a UH-1C armed helicopter escorting an unarmed helicopter during a mission to extract a long range reconnaissance patrol that was in heavy contact with the enemy near Dak To. Arriving over the contact area, he encountered a heavy volume of enemy small arms and automatic weapons fire which was also encircling the trapped team. Continuing to engage the enemy, his murderous barrages of rocket fire caused the insurgent troops to break contact and withdraw, thus enabling the rescue helicopter to enter and depart the landing zone safely. After the evacuation helicopter had been safely escorted out of the area, Chief Warrant Officer Butler returned to the scene and totally silenced the enemy with his aircraft armament systems. His actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.