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2023 SESSION

23100872D
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 465
Commending James Douglas Butler, Sr.

 

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, January 16, 2023
Agreed to by the Senate, January 19, 2023

 

WHEREAS, James Douglas Butler, Sr., an honorable veteran who achieved the rank of sergeant with the United States Army Air Corps during World War II, has demonstrated extraordinary dedication to his community, state, and country throughout his life; and

WHEREAS, James Douglas “Doug” Butler, Sr., grew up on his family’s apple farm along U.S. Route 522 north of Winchester, where he would often help by pitching hay, picking apples, and plowing the fields with a team of horses; and

WHEREAS, in May 1943, a year after he graduated from Handley High School in Winchester, Doug Butler and his brother, Robert, were drafted into the United States Army; and

WHEREAS, without adequate technical training, Doug Butler was first assigned to the infantry, but through great determination and perseverance he soon earned a spot in Officer Candidate School and a commission in the United States Army Air Corps, a precursor to the United States Air Force; and

WHEREAS, recognizing the United States Army Air Corps’ need for more gunners, Doug Butler applied to gunnery school and shortly thereafter became a nose-turret gunner with the 461st Bombardment Group (Heavy) of the Fifteenth Air Force; and

WHEREAS, Doug Butler safely flew in 35 high-risk bombing missions with a B-24 bomber crew based in Southern Italy, contributing greatly to the Allied war effort against the German Luftwaffe during World War II; and

WHEREAS, Doug Butler has maintained perfect attendance with the Kiwanis Club of Winchester since joining in 1949 and is also a founding and current member of the Kiwanis Club of Old Town and a 20-year member of the Kiwanis Club of Strasburg; and

WHEREAS, Doug Butler received a Legion of Honor award from Kiwanis International in 2018 for his many decades of service on behalf of the organization; and

WHEREAS, Doug Butler can often be seen driving around Winchester in his beautiful 1949 Willys-Overland Jeepster, which he has lovingly maintained in pristine condition; and

WHEREAS, Doug Butler often reflects on the life of his brother, Staff Sergeant Robert Butler, who died in combat during World War II, and honors his memory by placing flowers on his grave at Mount Hebron Cemetery in Winchester; and

WHEREAS, the courage and sacrifice exhibited by Doug Butler and his fellow veterans during World War II exemplify the exceptional character of his generation and serve as an inspiration to all Virginians; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend James Douglas Butler, Sr., an honorable veteran of the United States Army Air Corps, for his noteworthy commitment to the well-being of his community, state, and nation; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to James Douglas Butler, Sr., as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect and admiration for his service.