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Navy Federal Credit Union
Henry
Buttelmann
June 26, 1929

–

September 16, 2019

Born:

Corona

, 

New York

Home:

Bayside

, 

New York

Buried: 

Elwood

, 

Illinois

Cemetery:

Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery

Henry Buttelmann was an enlisted man in the Air National Guard when his unit was called to active duty in 1951. He applied for pilot training, received both his wings and commission, and arrived in Korea as a fighter pilot very late in the war. From June 19, 1953 he shot down his first MiG, and claimed four more in the next eleven days to become a Korean War Ace, adding two more for a total of SEVEN aerial victories before the war ended. He subsequently flew combat missions in Vietnam, and retired in 1979 as a U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant

    Batallion:

    25th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron

    Regiment:

    51st Fighter-Interceptor Wing

    Action Date:

    July 19, 1953

    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 First Lieutenant Henry Buttelmann (AFSN: AO-2224542), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as Pilot of an F-86 Sabre Fighter Jet in the 25th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 51st Fighter-Interceptor Wing, in Korea, on 19 July 1953. On that date, Lieutenant Buttelmann attacked a flight of four MiG-15 type aircraft and succeeded in scoring hits that resulted in the destruction of one enemy aircraft. The exceptional flying ability, aggressiveness, courage and devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Buttelmann reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Major

    Action Date:

    June 24, 1965

    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 Major Henry Buttelmann (AFSN: AO-2224542), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 Pilot in the Republic of Vietnam on 24 June 1965. On that date, Major Buttelmann, after delivering his bomb load on an important target in North Vietnam, deliberately placed himself and his aircraft in front of attacking hostile jet fighters and engaged them in air combat. Major Buttelmann did this with full knowledge that the opposing aircraft would be under radar control and directed to a firing position on his aircraft. Through Major Buttelmann’s outstanding skill and flying ability, he was able to defend his aircraft in such a manner as to place the hostile aircraft in a defensive position which necessitated the hostile forces to withdraw. Through his courage and devotion to duty, Major Buttelmann made it possible for the rest of the United States fighters to successfully attack and destroy their assigned targets without interference from the hostile fighters. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Major Buttelmann reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel

    Action Date:

    April 13, 1970

    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 to Lieutenant Colonel Henry Buttelmann (AFSN: AO-2224542), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-100 Pilot in Southeast Asia on 13 April 1970. On that date, Colonel Buttelmann was diverted from his primary target to strike an active anti-aircraft gun site located along a major enemy supply route. As Colonel Buttelmann initiated his attack, he drew intense ground fire from two positions. Despite heavy tracer fire and air bursts along his flight path, he pressed the attack with multiple passes and destroyed both gun positions, silencing all hostile fire. The professional competence, aerial skill and devotion to duty displayed by Colonel Buttelmann reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant

    Batallion:

    25th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron

    Regiment:

    51st Fighter-Interceptor Group

    Division:

    5th Air Force

    Action Date:

    June 30, 1953
    Headquarters, Far East Air Forces, General Orders No. 407 (November 10, 1953)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Henry Buttelmann (AFSN: AO-2224542), United States Air Force, for gallantry in action against an enemy of the United Nations while serving as Pilot of an F-86 Sabrejet Fighter-Bomber in the 25th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 51st Fighter-Interceptor Group, FIFTH Air Force, on 30 June 1953 in Korea. On that date, while flying number three position in a flight of four F-86 aircraft, Lieutenant Buttelmann sighted a flight of six MiG-15 type aircraft and set up an attack on two of them. As Lieutenant Buttelmann fired two long bursts which scored hits on the enemy leader, he was suddenly attacked by the number two MiG. Under intense enemy fire and with complete disregard for his own safety, Lieutenant Buttelmann went into a tight scissors maneuver to counter the second MiG’s attack, but had to break off when a third enemy MiG came in on him. Very low on fuel, he withdrew from the area. Through his high personal courage, aggressive flying ability and exemplary devotion to duty, Lieutenant Buttelmann reflected the highest credit upon himself and the military service. Great credit upon himself, the FAR EAST Air Forces, and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant

    Batallion:

    25th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron

    Regiment:

    51st Fighter-Interceptor Wing

    Action Date:

    June 19, 1953

    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 First Lieutenant Henry Buttelmann (AFSN: AO-2224542), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as Pilot of an F-86 Sabre Fighter Jet in the 25th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 51st Fighter-Interceptor Wing, FIFTH Air Force, on 19 June 1953 in Korea. Lieutenant Buttelmann while flying the number three position in a flight of four F-86 type aircraft did sight and attack a flight of four MiG-15 type aircraft. Two of the enemy aircraft broke off from the formation and Lieutenant Buttelmann made a firing pass at the trailing MiG. Two short bursts resulted in numerous hits on both wings and fuselage of the enemy aircraft. As the MiG started a slow roll to the left, Lieutenant Buttelmann fired a long burst into the tail section which immediately began to emit heavy black smoke. The enemy pilot, losing control of his aircraft, was forced to release the canopy and bail out. Lieutenant Buttelmann’s superior flying ability and judgment have been outstanding, and his courage and devotion to duty have brought great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.