Recent Galleries

Some Motorcycle Pix - Past and Present : Here are some pix of a couple of motorcycles from my family's past, some bikes that I have owned, borrowed or rented, and some bikes that I have either photographed or been photographed on.

Some Motorcycle Pix - Past and Present

jawtex

Here are some pix of a couple of motorcycles from my family's past, so ...

Updated: Jun 28, 2009 12:23am PST

31MDOS Change of Command : Aviano Air Base held a Change of Command ceremony for the 31st Medical Group on Friday, June 26, 2009. The outgoing Commander, Lt Col Gmehlin, honorably relinquished command to the incoming Commander, Lt Col Holliday. The ceremony was chaired by Aviano ABs Medical Group Commander, Col Storms. The event was hosted by the La Bella Vista Club.

31MDOS Change of Command

lefthandedimages

Aviano Air Base held a Change of Command ceremony for the 31st Medical ...

Updated: Jun 27, 2009 10:57pm PST

"STALWART AND STRONG"  -               87TH INFANTRY DIVISION - SUBMIT YOUR PIC FOR THIS GALLERY : Come on,You know you are proud of your Military picture. Get it out - scan it, and email it.
Or mail copy for me to place here. 

Show it off to the world wide web! 

As with all galleries of history06 - 
we welcome comments/thoughts/memories.
Just click on the "add comment" in 
lower left of page.


Here's to the Golden Acorn Soldiers - Forever STALWART AND STRONG!

To see all photos submitted from many about the 87th Infantry Division, or to submit yours, go to:
http://history06.smugmug.com

and 

For info on 87th Infantry Division Association:
http://www.87thinfantrydivision.com

"STALWART AND STRONG" - ...

history06

Come on,You know you are proud of your Military picture. Get it out - ...

Updated: Jun 27, 2009 7:00pm PST

ErichG :

ErichG

ErichG2

Updated: Jun 27, 2009 5:06pm PST

Navy Ships : Collection of Royal and Foreign Navy ships, mostly on the River Clyde.

Navy Ships

Iain Cameron

Collection of Royal and Foreign Navy ships, mostly on the River Clyde.

Updated: Jun 27, 2009 2:34pm PST

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

====

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."


To see all photos submitted from many about the 87th Infantry Division, 
or to submit yours, go to:
http://history06.smugmug.com

and 

For info on 87th Infantry Division Association:
http://www.87thinfantrydivision.com

Sgt. First Class Richard Leonard Butler

history06

Joel Tumlin contacted the 87th gallery asking about info on his great ...

Updated: Jun 27, 2009 10:41am PST

Thunder on the Bay 09 : Thunderbirds Airshow at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi,Mississippi.

Thunder on the Bay 09

alanhinkel

Thunderbirds Airshow at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi,Mississippi.

Updated: Jun 27, 2009 10:06am PST

War Monuments : A portion of all sales made from this gallery will be donated to the USO.  I would also like to thank all past and present members of the United States Military Branches for all that they do and have done to keep American free.  Keep up the great work.

War Monuments

stopalphotography

A portion of all sales made from this gallery will be donated to the U ...

Updated: Jun 24, 2009 4:18pm PST

uss catamount lsd17 : Left to right Michael Munoz Subic BAY 68'
off the coast of V.N. 68'

uss catamount lsd17

mptl7777

Left to right Michael Munoz Subic BAY 68' off the coast of V.N. 68'

Updated: Jun 22, 2009 4:45pm PST

Patriotic : This patriotic gallery features military related photographs. It's a tribute to service members, past and present who place their lives on the line to guard the freedoms we enjoy as Americans.  View all of our themed galleries at www.Dawkins.SmugMug.com.

Patriotic

Dawkins

This patriotic gallery features military related photographs. It's a t ...

Updated: Jun 22, 2009 2:03pm PST

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