Flagler County Veteran of the Week: Richard L. Butterfield

Thank you for your example of service and bravery.

By David Lydon
| 3:20 a.m. April 17, 2022

Palm Coast Observer
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Richard L. Butterfield

Branch of Military: U.S. Army (Retired)
Dates of Service: Active Duty 1965-1970 and New York Army National Guard 1970-1995
Rank / Occupation: Colonel / Special Forces Officer (National Guard Brigadier General)
Hometown: Born Mansfield, Ohio, raised in Upstate New York

Richard Butterfield was commissioned a second lieutenant in 1965 and sent to Vietnam as a Pathfinder Team Leader, 11th Pathfinders 1st Air Cav, to serve his first one-year combat tour. On a subsequent one-year tour he was the Company Commander, E Company 2/506, 101st Airborne Division in 1968, and then Team Commander of the 5th Special Forces Group, Airborne, Special Operation Group, Command and Control South. He was twice wounded during combat in Vietnam and was twice awarded the Purple Heart Medal.

After serving on active duty, General Butterfield served the New York Army National Guard as a company commander, Battalion Commander 2nd of the 105th Infantry and as the commander of the 1st Brigade 42nd Infantry Division, until his retirement from the Guard as a Brigadier General in 1995. Butterfield also retired from the New York State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation. Butterfield has resided in Palm Coast since 2016.

Need help with veteran services?

For information about benefits available to veterans and other support organizations, visit https://www.flaglercounty.gov/departments/veterans-services.