Navy Federal Credit Union

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat “V” to Captain William Wallace Butler (AFSN: FV-3133430), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 Thunderchief Pilot over North Vietnam on 3 October 1967. On that date, Captain Butler was a member of a flight of F-105 Thunderchiefs assigned the task of suppressing active surface-to-air missile sites, in support of an F-105 strike force. Despite a direct hostile aircraft attack on the flight, Captain Butler maneuvered his aircraft is such a manner that he successfully launched a strike missile on one of the most active sites in the area. His effectiveness was evident in the fact that no missiles were launched at the strike force during their diving attacks on the target. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Captain Butler reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Captain

    Batallion:

    469th Tactical Fighter Squadron

    Division:

    Korat Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand

    Action Date:

    November 18, 1967

    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.

  • Prisoner of War Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Captain

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    November 20, 1967 – March 14, 1973

    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.

  • Bronze Star Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Captain

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    July 1968 – January 1973

    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.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Captain

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    November 25, 1967

    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.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Captain

    Action Date:

    October 7, 1967

    Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Orders G-2407 (1967)

    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 with Combat “V” to Captain William Wallace Butler (AFSN: FV-3133430), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 Thunderchief Pilot over North Vietnam on 7 October 1967. On that date, Captain Butler was the element lead in a flight assigned to attack a vital and heavily defended military target. Although his aircraft sustained damage from flak he delivered his ordnance accurately and successful, then went to the aid of another flight with a downed pilot in a rescue effort. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Captain Butler reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Captain

    Action Date:

    October 6, 1967

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Fourth Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fifth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain William Wallace Butler (AFSN: FV-3133430), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 Thunderchief Pilot over North Vietnam on 6 October 1967. On that date, Captain Butler was on an assigned mission to attack a high priority military target. Despite poor visibility, intense hostile fire and an unplanned roll-in, Captain Butler’s ordnance was delivered accurately and successfully on target. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Butler reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Captain

    Action Date:

    October 25, 1967

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Silver Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Sixth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain William Wallace Butler (AFSN: FV-3133430), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 Thunderchief Pilot over North Vietnam on 25 October 1967. On that date, Captain Butler flew in the lead flight on a highly successful strike against a high priority military target. By exacting airmanship the target was heavily damaged without inflicting collateral damage on the adjoining civilian population centers. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Butler reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Captain

    Action Date:

    October 6, 1967

    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 with Combat “V” to Captain William Wallace Butler (AFSN: FV-3133430), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 Thunderchief Pilot over North Vietnam on 6 October 1967. On that date, Captain Butler fired strikes that successfully suppressed the surface-to-air missile sites that were a threat to the main force. His outstanding display of calmness enabled him to maintain perfect formation position and obtain pinpoint target accuracy during the continuous, intense threat of hostile aircraft and anti-aircraft artillery. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Captain Butler reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Captain

    Action Date:

    November 20, 1967

    Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Orders G-2407 (1967)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat “V” to Captain William Wallace Butler (AFSN: FV-3133430), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 Thunderchief Pilot over North Vietnam on 20 November 1967. On that date, Captain Butler was a member of a flight of F-105 Thunderchiefs assigned to attack an important military target in North Vietnam. During ingress to the target, the strike force was attacked by hostile aircraft interceptors. Captain Butler’s skillful maneuvering and heroic actions prevented the hostile aircraft from destroying the lead element of his flight. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Captain Butler reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Captain

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (North Vietnam)

    Action Date:

    November 1967 – November 1970

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Captain William Wallace Butler (AFSN: FV-3133430), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam from November 1967 to November 1970. His ceaseless efforts, by a continuous showing of resistance to an enemy who ignored all international agreements on treatment of Prisoners of War, in the extremely adverse conditions of the communist prisons of North Vietnam, demonstrated his professional competence, unwavering devotion, and loyalty to his country. Despite the harsh treatment through his long years of incarceration, he continued to perform his duties in a clearly exceptional manner which reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.