The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Jimmie Howard Butler (AFSN: FR-69928), United States Air Force, for gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force as a Forward Air Controller of the 23d Tactical Air Support Squadron, Nakhon Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, directing fighter aircraft in Southeast Asia on 17 November 1967. On that date, while on a night combat support mission, Captain Butler flew his light O-2 aircraft well within the effective range of hostile ground fire directed toward him, and remained in the area for nearly four hours directing fighter aircraft in the destruction of valuable hostile logistics equipment. Captain Butler remained in the area almost twice the normal amount of flying time for such a mission, in constant peril of being hit by a salvo of hostile antiaircraft fire. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Captain Butler has reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Air Force.