Sgt. First Class Richard Leonard Butler

Joel Tumlin contacted the 87th gallery asking about info on his great Uncle, Sgt. First Class Richard Leonard Butler:

I am researching my Great Uncle’s time in the war.
He served in the 549th AAA AW.
From your photo gallery/info on Battery C –
I see that he was not in this Battery.

Richard died when I was three years old.

Here is the most accurate information I have on my great uncle.
All of this information about Richard comes from his youngest brother, Robert O. Butler, who passed in 2006.
Bob gave me all of Richard's medals from WWII.
I have them along with several of his pictures in a shadow box in my home. I have two young daughters that I want to tell as much about his service to this great country as possible. I am aware that many of that generation do not consider themselves as heroes.
I have a different opinion.
This country is the greatest on earth because of their sacrifices.

I want to know all I can about my great Uncle's service.
Please post these photos and information.
I hope to discover what Battery of the 549th that Richard did serve with,
Maybe someone who knew him, who served in the same Battery,
Or who could guide me to find more information.

Around two years ago, I e-mailed a gentleman named Walter Clarke who told me he was in the 549th AAA HQ Battery, Medical Detachment- he added Btn Surgeons Assistant, Lt., Medical Officer.
He gave me some information about the units activity during the Battle of the Bulge and the fight for Metz, France.
I can not find anything more than this.

I know that there was a fire that destroyed many military records in St. Louis around 1973. I do not know if any of Richard's records could be found elsewhere or if they exist.

I want to honor this relative, who probably would just say he did nothing extraordinary, but just did his job.

Thanks from One Proud American,

Joel Tumlin
Chelsea, Alabama
35043
jtgobama (at) hotmail.com

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Richard Leonard Butler DOB 4-2-24 in St. Louis, MO.
He graduated from high school in 1941.
He worked briefly at Brashear Truck Lines before he was drafted in 1941 at age 18.

He was assigned to the 549th AAA Bn and trained at Camp Edwards, MA. Richard was not selected to participate in the D-Day landing.
He was billeted in "Littlecote Manor" during his stay in England.
Later, he entered France through LeHavre and was assigned to Patton's Third Army. He was awarded the Bronze Star for his action during the Battle of the Bulge.

Uncle Bob said that Richard had a copy of a Christmas card with Patton’s weather prayer. Unfortunately, the letter's whereabouts are unknown.

Richard also was a part of the liberation of the Buchenwald death camp.
Upon Germany's surrender, Richard served as an expediter in an effort to return troops to the states. Uncle Bob said that Rich processed a full bird colonel, who was 22 years old. This was a unusual situation where all of his superior officers were killed or wounded. Richard worked at a embarkation port in France named the "Pall Mall" (named for cigarettes). Richard was given a luger and holster by a surrendering German officer. At one time, it was given to his oldest brother and my grandfather, Paul Butler. My grandfather either sold or traded it- it hurts thinking about it today.
Richard also served in the Korean War with his younger brother, Bob.
My grandfather Paul was the oldest brother. (Granddad Paul was turned down for military service due to a hearing injury he sustained as a child that impaired his hearing throughout his lifetime. Paul did work for NASA and played a role in helping the US put a man on the moon.)

After the war, Richard worked for the railroad. .
Richard is buried in Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St. Louis, MO.

Richard’s service number was 37610091.
His rank was Sgt. First Class (3 up, two down).
Uncle Bob closed these notes with the statement that Richard,
"..in his point of view was the greatest soldier that ever wore the uniform."