William Butler was interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam after he was shot down on November 20, 1967, and was held until his release on March 14, 1973.

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William Butler was interned as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam after he was shot down on November 20, 1967, and was held until his release on March 14, 1973.




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The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain William Wallace Butler (AFSN: FV-3133430), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while serving with the 469th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Korat Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, PACIFIC Air Forces, in action over North Vietnam, on 18 November 1967. On that date, Captain butler was a member of a flight of F-105 Thunderchiefs assigned the task of attacking a high priority military target, using an experimental method of ordnance which required that the entire force assume a formation that left them defenseless against hostile aircraft attacks. Even though he had experienced afterburner failure, Captain Butler, with his element leader, egressed the area while under hostile aircraft attack and called a timely break which forced the hostile fire to disengage. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Captain Butler has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Captain William Wallace Butler (AFSN: FV-3133430), United States Air Force, was held as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from November 20, 1967 until his release on March 14, 1973.
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The President of the United States of America, authorized by Executive Order 11046, 24 August 1962, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” to Captain William Wallace Butler (AFSN: FV-3133430), United States Air Force, for heroic achievement as a Prisoner of War while engaged in operations against an opposing armed force in North Vietnam during the period from July 1968 to January 1973. In an atmosphere of enemy harassment and brutal treatment, he continued to establish and maintain communications through unusual and ingenious methods, which resulted in American and Allied prisoners presenting a posture of increased resistance to the enemy’s wishes, and, at the same time, improving prisoner morale. By his heroic endeavors and devotion to duty under adverse conditions of his environment, he reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.
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The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Captain William Wallace Butler (AFSN: FV-3133430), United States Air Force, for gallantry and intrepidity in action in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force on 25 November 1967, while a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam. Ignoring international agreements on treatment of prisoners of war, the enemy resorted to mental and physical cruelties to obtain information, confessions and propaganda materials. Captain Butler resisted their demands by calling upon his deepest inner strengths in a manner which reflected his devotion to duty and great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.