WWII: KOREA: US AIR FORCE, M/Sgt. William Denton (Dub) Butler, 546246681, Born: 21 Apr 1923, GHS 19416, Enlistment: 1942, Release: 31 Dec 1964, Died: 14 Apr 1993,

Pvt. W. D. Butler has enlisted in the Army Air Corps and his address is ASN 18162207, 403rd School Squadron, Flight 3, Barracks368, Sheppard Field, Texas. Bill will appreciate letters from his Gladwin friends. Gladwin County Record 11/11/1942

Pvt. William D. (Dub) Butler, 1941 Gladwin high school graduate, has enlisted in the U. S. Army Air Corps and is now stationed with Squadron 803 at the Army Air Forces Training School. Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Dub is a brother of Mrs. Gus Anderson, of Gladwin, and was employed at the Dow Chemical Company prior to his enlistment. He writes that he likes his new assignment very well and that his fellow soldiers and officers are friendly and accommodating. Gladwin County Record 12/2/1942

Pfc. W. D. Butler is now with the 60th Bomber Squadron, Barracks 312, Davis Montham Field, Tuscon, Arizona. Gladwin County Record 4/28/1943

T. Sgt. William D. Butler is overseas with U. S. Forces. He left this Country in August and to date has been in Ireland, England, and North Africa. Mrs. Gus Anderson received a letter from her brother - William "Dub" Butler on Saturday. Gladwin County Record 10/6/1943

GLADWIN SOLDIER MISSING IN ITALY Sgt. William D. Butler, formerly of Sage township, Gladwin county, has been reported missing in action since December 28th, 1943, according to word received here this week by his sister, Mrs Gus Anderson. Sgt. Butler was with U. S. forces in Italy. . . Mrs Anderson received a telegram from Adjutant General Ulio which read as follows: "The Secretary of War desires me to express his deep regret that your brother, Sgt, William D. Butler, has been reported Missing in action since December 28th in Italy. If further details or other information are received you will be promptly notified." Sgt. Butler has made his home with the Andersons here since he was 12 years old. He was a graduate of the Gladwin Agricultural School. Gladwin County Record 1/19/1944

SGT. BUTLER IS GERMAN PRISONER Sgt. William D. Butler, formerly of Sage township, Gladwin county, who was reported "missing in action" on December 28th, 1943, is a German prisoner of war, according to word reaching his sister, Mrs. Gus Anderson, of Sage township, this week. First intimation that her brother was safe came to Mrs. Anderson in reports of a German short-wave broadcast to this country listing recently captured prisoners of war. Later the report was verified by the International Red Cross and Mrs. Anderson, was assured this week by Washington officials that her brother is safe. Sgt. Butler was a member of a crew of a bomber that was shot down over northern Italy. He parachuted to safety and was taken prisoner by the Germans on December 28th. Prior to his enlistment in the Air Corps, Sgt. Butler made his home with the Andersons here. He is a graduate of the Gladwin Rural Agricultural School. Gladwin County Record 2/16/1944

M/Sgt. Wm D. Butler, who is a prisoner of war of the Germans, has recently been moved from a prison camp near Berlin, Germany, to one near Vienna, Austria. He reports he wasn't hurt or wounded at the time of his capture December 28, 1943, and is well and that the Red Cross is doing a great work for the prisoners of war. Gladwin County Record 8/2/1944

He was on the coast of France - waiting for a boat to get back to the United States. Sgt. Butler has been a German prisoner for sixteen months and was liberated by Yank tanks at Hitler's birth place on May 2nd. He had to walk 283 miles across Austria to get out. He hopes to be home the first part of June for a 60-day furlough. Gladwin County Record 5/30/1945

Transferred to Island of Okinawa: M/Sgt. William D. (Dub) Butler is being transferred to Okinawa. M/Sgt. Butler is currently First Sergeant of the 2031st Airways and Air Communications Services Squadron, Self ridge Air Force Base, Michigan. He makes his home with Mr. and Mrs. Gus Anderson of Sage township. Mrs. Anderson is his sister. Sergeant Butler is a graduate of Gladwin High School. During World War II he was a chief radio-operator-mechanic and aerial gunner on B-24 , Liberator Bombers, serving in Africa and Italy. He was shot down on a bombing mission in Northern Italy and was a prisoner-of-war of Germany for 18 months in the infamous Stalag 17, Krems, Austria. M/Sgt. Butler holds numerous military awards including the Purple Heart, Air Medal and Presidential Citation. He is a graduate of many military schools and has received many "Letters of Commendation", including a letter from Major General Parks. His performance of duty is best described by one of his commendation letters which stated that he had developed a reputation as a First Sergeant "who gets things done". M/Sgt. Butler is married to the former Ellen Kennedy of Gladwin and has one child, Julie Anne. His wife and daughter will reside in Gladwin anij join him at after date in Okinawa. Okinawa is a small island, located about 330 miles off the Chinese mainland. Gladwin County Record 10/15/1958

M/Sgt. William D. Butler, now serving with the U. S. Air Force in St. Johns, Newfoundland, was recently commended for his service by his commanding officer. The letter was as follows: "It is a pleasure to commend you for the capable and outstanding manner in which you have accomplished your assignment as First Sergeant, Headquarters, 6th Air Postal Squadron. "Because of your proven honesty, integrity, enthusiasm, judgment and trustworthiness, as well as your knowledge of military affairs, procedures and protocol, I have never hesitated to make you responsible at various times for portions of my duties when I was otherwise precluded from performing them. You have relieved me of many burdensome and vexing administrative details and have very capably assisted me in the formulation of important policy and procedural matters. You have earned my utmost confidence and it has been very reassuring to leave you in charge when it has been necessary to absent myself because of official business. "By dint of your exceptional leadership and devotion to duty, you have won the admiration of all those associated with you and have been an inspiration to them. Your work has been thorough and accomplished in a manner which reflects, credit upon you and the military service. The excellent relationship, high esteem and cooperation that this organization experiences with both officers and airmen of Headquarters. Northeast Air Command, is a direct result of your skilled handling of personnel and public relations. "You will, I am sure, continue to prove a valuable asset to the military service in any future assignments and will always warrant the faith and trust of your superiors. "A copy of this, correspondence will be placed in your official 201 file.—Cornelius F. Reidy, Captain USAF, Commanding." Sgt. Butler is a graduate of the Gladwin school and a veteran of World War II. He was a prisoner of war of Germany for 18 months and has received the Air Medal, Presidential Citation. Purple Heart and the Middle East and European campaign ribbon with four battle stars among other wartime awards. While in military service he has excelled in judo wrestling and boxing. He is the brother of Mrs Gus Andersons and made his home with the Andersons prior to his enlistment in the air force in "1942. Before his transfer to the Northeast Air Command in 1951. He was in charge of the army and air force recruiting station at; Bay City. Gladwin County Record 3/18/1953

M/SGT. WILLIAM D. (Dub) Butler and his wife, Ellen, were the guests of Mr. Inamine and Mr. Matayoshi, at the Yamota Tea House recently. Mr, Matayoshi and Mr. Inamine are prominent Okinawan businessmen and close friends of the Butlers. Sergeant Butler is stationed with the United States Air Force at Okinawa, where he is First Sergeant of the 6313th Food Service Squadron. Entertainment at the Yamota Tea House consisted of Oriental dances presented by Geisha Girls in their colorful gowns. The dinner meal was oriental, served on small tables (called Skoshi tables) and the guests sat "cross-legged" on the floor. The dinner was served in courses, which took four hours to consume. Dub and Ellen have also visited the famous "Tea House of the August Moon" as guests of local Okinawan businessmen. They enjoy Okinawa and its people, but say they will he glad to get back to Gladwin to see Dub's sister and brother-in-law, Orathy and Gus Anderson, and renew old friendships. Gladwin County Record 12/23/1959

M/Sgt. Wm. D. Butler's new address is 6313 Air Base Wing, Attn: Wing Officer's Club, A.P'.O. 239, San Francisco, Calif. Gladwin County Record 2/17/1960

New Daughter: M/Sgt. and Mrs William D. Butler announce the arrival of a daughter, Bekki Louise, on Feb. 8 at Mercy Hospital, Camp Kue, Okinawa. M/Sgt. Butler is stationed with the U.S. Air Force at Kadena Air Force Base. Mr and Mrs Samuel Kennedy of Flint, former Gladwin residents, are the little girl's grandparents and Mr and Mrs Gus Anderson of Gladwin are an uncle and aunt to the new baby. Gladwin County Record 2/24/1960

Master Sergeant William D. Butler, First Sergeant of the 6332nd USAF Dispensary, Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, has been awarded the Air Force Certificate of Merit, by Major General John R. Sutherland, Commander, Headquarters, 313th Air Division. The citation read as follows: "Master Sergeant William D. Butler, AF18162207, 6332nd USAF Dispensary, United States Air Force, distinguished himself by meritorious service during the period December 1, 1958 to March 1, 1961, by his outstanding leadership and support of the American-Ryukuan Friendship Program and People to People Program. Without the efficiency of his plans, organizing and leadership ability, as well as his personal self sacrifice, these programs would have been impossible. Some of the many accomplishments, attributed to Sergeant Butler during this period are: The feeding, of needy Okinawan children at Thanksgiving and Christmas time and furnishing food to 500 Okinawan families at Christmas time and the painting of Okinawan school rooms and the leveling of the play grounds". M/Sgt. Butler's friends range from high officials in the Okinawan Government, to the farmer in the rice paddy. He has learned and knows Okinawan culture, including traditional ceremonies. He is an accomplished public speaker and has done much to create a better understanding between American and Ryukyuan people. Sgt. Butler , his wife Ellen and daughters, Julie and Bekki, departed Okinawa for duty in the United States, May 5. He will take military leave in Michigan and then proceed to his new duty station, the 4133rd Strategic Wing (SAC), Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota, where he will assume his duty as First Sergeant. Master- Sergeant Butler is a resident of Gladwin, and is a graduate of Gladwin high school. He was raised by his sister, Mr, and Mrs. Gus Anderson, until he entered the U.S. Air Force. Gladwin County Record 5/10/1961

Air Force M/Sgt. William D. Butler is now assigned to the Bay City' Air Force Recruiting Office, located on the third floor of the Federal Building. A native of Gladwin, Butler attended Gladwin high school and resided with his sister, Mrs. Orathy F. Anderson, of Sage Township. He calls Gladwin his "home town" and has many friends here. A World War II veteran with over 18 years of military service, he flew as a radio operator-mechanic and aerial gunner on B-24 Liberator Bombers out of Africa and Italy. While on a bombing mission over Northern Italy he was shot down, captured, and was a prisoner-of-war of Germany, where he spent 18 months in the German prison camp, "Stalag 17" at Krems, Austria. Sergeant Butler has served overseas in Europe, Africa, Egypt, Newfoundland and the Far East, returning from Okinawa last year. Prior to his current assignment to the Bay City office, Butler was first sergeant of a strategic air command , B-52 bomber organization at Grand Forks, North Dakota. He and his wife Ellen, daughters Julie and Bekki, and son Billy reside at 2290 Jose Road, Kawkawlin. Butler will be visiting Gladwin regularly to interview applicants interested in the educational and technical training opportunities of the Air Force. Gladwin County Record 12/12/1962

Recalls Getting Record as POW: February 16, 1964, Dear Paul, Please renew my subscription to The Gladwin Record for one year. I have been tardy in renewing it, and miss it. You probably wondered what happened to me after I left Air Force Recruiting at Bay City. I was promoted to supervisor of a five county Air Force Recruiting area (Oakland, Macomb, Sanilac, St. Clair and Lapeer Counties). My office is in Mt. Clemens. I miss recruiting in the Gladwin area as it made me able to see old friends. You might be interested to know that while I was a POW in World War II, I received , two-copies of The Gladwin Record in the 18 month period I was imprisoned in Stalag 17 at Krems, Austria. Sincerely, Bill Butler, 23113 Beverly, St. Clair Shores, Mich. Gladwin County Record 2/26/1964