Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Chester
John
Butcher
POW (WWII)

Born:

Lafayette

, 

Louisiana

Home:

Lafayette

, 

Louisiana

Chester Butcher graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Class of January 1943. He retired in 1974 as a U.S. Air Force Brigadier General.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Air Corps)

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Chester John Butcher (ASN: 0-25784), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving with Headquarters, EIGHTH Air Force, during World War II. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

  • Air Force Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Brigadier General

    Action Date:

    1970 – 1973
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Brigadier General Chester John Butcher (ASN: 0-25784), United States Air Force, was awarded the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States, culminating as Deputy Commander of the Fifth Allied Tactical Air Force, a subordinate Command of the Allied Air Forces in Southern Europe, from 1970 to 1973. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Butcher culminate a long and distinguished career in the service of his country and his dedicated contributions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Colonel

    Division:

    Air Defense Command

    Action Date:

    1954 – 1959
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Colonel Chester John Butcher (ASN: 0-25784), United States Air Force, was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States with Headquarters, Air Defense Command, from 1954 to 1959. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Butcher and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Prisoner of War Medal

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    First Lieutenant (Air Corps)

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (Germany)

    Action Date:

    March 27, 1944 – May 1945

    First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Chester John Butcher (ASN: 0-25784), United States Army Air Forces, was captured by German forces after he was shot down on or about 27 March 1944, and was held as a Prisoner of War until the end of hostilities in May 1945.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Colonel

    Action Date:

    1959 – 1962
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Colonel Chester John Butcher (ASN: 0-25784), United States Air Force, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Executive Officer to the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Research and Development; and later as Military Assistant to the Under Secretary of the Air Force from 1959 to 1962. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Butcher and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Colonel

    Division:

    7th Air Force

    Action Date:

    Vietnam War
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Colonel Chester John Butcher (ASN: 0-25784), United States Air Force, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving with Headquarters, SEVENTH Air Force in Southeast Asia. His devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Colonel

    Division:

    Air Transport Command

    Action Date:

    1965 – 1968
    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Colonel Chester John Butcher (ASN: 0-25784), United States Air Force, was awarded a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as a Wing Commander of the Air Transport Command, from 1965 to 1968. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Butcher and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.