LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending veteran Brigadier General Richard L.
Butterfield upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of The
Rev. Francis A. Kelley Home Town Hero Award by Chapter 38 of the Disa-
bled American Veterans on June 11, 2016

WHEREAS, Members of the Armed Services from the State of New York, who
have served so valiantly and honorably in wars in which this country's
freedom was at stake, as well as in the preservation of peace in peace-
time, deserve a special salute from this Legislative Body and the people
of the State of New York; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend veteran
Brigadier General Richard Butterfield upon the occasion of his desig-
nation as the third recipient of The Rev. Francis A. Kelley Home Town
Hero Award by Chapter 38 of the Disabled American Veterans to be cele-
brated on Saturday, June 11, 2016, at the East Greenbush YMCA; and
WHEREAS, Brigadier General Richard L. Butterfield has exhibited his
patriotism both at home and abroad, demonstrating his love for his coun-
try and meriting forevermore, the highest respect of his State and
Nation; and
WHEREAS, Brigadier General Richard L. Butterfield served his country
as a member of the United States Army from 1963 -1970, and the New York
Army National Guard from 1970 to 1995; and
WHEREAS, While on active duty, he served as a Second Lieutenant with
the 11th Pathfinders 1st Cavalry Division, 1965 to 1966; in this posi-
tion, he was in the battle at LZ X-Ray where both sides suffered heavy
casualties; the United States had nearly 250 soldiers killed but claimed
to have counted about 1,000 North Vietnamese bodies on the battlefield
and estimated more were killed by air strikes and artillery; and
WHEREAS, Lieutenant Butterfield and his team were responsible for the
resupply and medical evacuation missions for the battle; after this
battle was over, some of the unit walked out to LZ Columbus, after
arriving there after dark, it was learned that the 2nd Battalion 7th
Cavalry had been ambushed while marching to LZ Albany; of the roughly
400 soldiers in the Battalion, 70% were killed or wounded; and
WHEREAS, A night time rescue mission was launched to evacuate the
wounded and Lieutenant Butterfield led the pathfinder team to LZ Albany
on this mission; and
WHEREAS, After air assaulting in, Lieutenant Butterfield's team ran
medevac missions all night and into the next morning making sure all
wounded were removed; around 1:00 a.m. Lieutenent Butterfield was wound-
ed and did not leave his team until all other wounded soldiers were
removed from the battlefield; and
WHEREAS, Captain Butterfield served a second tour in Viet Nam in 1968
as company commander of E company 2nd Battalion 506 Inf. 101st Airborne;
his company conducted many combat operations inflicting heavy casualties
on the enemy; and
WHEREAS, After recovering from injuries at Camp Zama, Japan, Captain
Butterfield returned to Viet Nam and served with the 5th Special Forces
Group Airborne assigned to Command and Control South Special Operations
Group; missions from this unit were classified; and
WHEREAS, After serving on active duty, Captain Butterfield served the
New York Army National Guard serving as a company commander, Battalion
Commander 2nd of the 105th Infantry and as the commander of the 1st
Brigade 42nd Infantry Division; and
WHEREAS, Brigadier General Richard L. Butterfield served with the New
York State Police from February 1970 until 2006; currently, he serves

with the Warren County Sheriff's office with the Narcotics Enforcement
Unit and is cross designated to the New York State Police; and
WHEREAS, Brigadier General Richard L. Butterfield has 28 personal
awards and decorations with the Purple Heart being his most cherished;
and
WHEREAS, Residents of this great State must never forget the courage
with which these men and women served their country, and must recognize
that no greater debt is owed than that owed to those who gave their
lives for their beloved Nation and to those who continue to be missing
in action; and
WHEREAS, Having exhibited his patriotism both at home and abroad,
Brigadier General Richard L. Butterfield demonstrated his love for his
country and merits forevermore, the highest respect of his State and
Nation; and
WHEREAS, Our Nation's veterans deserve to be recognized, commended and
thanked by the people of the State of New York for their service and for
their dedication to their communities, their State and their Nation;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend veteran Brigadier General Richard L. Butterfield upon the occa-
sion of his designation as recipient of The Rev. Francis A. Kelley Home
Town Hero Award by Chapter 38 of the Disabled American Veterans; and be
it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Brigadier General Richard L. Butterfield.