Distinguished Flying Cross Engraved to a Libya 1960s KIA Airforce Officer

[TheMariner]

I recently acquired a DFC named to Robert P Butler, engraving to me appears Korean War era but maybe could date as late as the early 1960s I would say. I can not confirm anybody with this name getting a DFC but I found two possible candidates. 1. Captain Robert Paul Butler who was a west point graduate class of 1949 and died in 1960 in Libya I could not find the circumstances of his death or if it would have been deserving of the award of a DFC to the family. The only other option I found was LTC Robert P Butler who served a 26 year career and was a B-52 commander. He died at 48 years hold just after leaving the military in 1970. I could not confirm that either received a DFC during their careers. Can anybody help me at all with this and also see if they feel I am right on the engraving time. Medal set itself is a WW2 era production set! thanks in advance! Seller told me it came out of Texas area I believe! Right out of the woodwork and it appears to have been stashed away somewhere for a very long time!

[TheMariner]

Anybody able to help with this ?

[scottplen]

Not finding much ! Try emailing West Point they have him listed in 1949 year book ! And he is buried there . They should have a some info ?

[Dave]

It could also be a catch-up award for a WW2 veteran. In that case, the chance of finding out who it belonged to would really be tough...

[TheMariner]

It could also be a catch-up award for a WW2 veteran. In that case, the chance of finding out who it belonged to would really be tough...

Hmm interesting! What do you mean by a catch up award, like a 50s replacement ?

[Dave]

Hmm interesting! What do you mean by a catch up award, like a 50s replacement ?

 

Or an award he never received during WW2 and it caught up to him in the 50s or 60s (or even later...I've seen one-off engraving like this through the 90s).

 

WW2 awards are still catching up to veterans; lots of awards were sent to vets ten, twenty, thirty years after the war ended.

[Wharfmaster]

The USAF B-52 LTC passed away in San Antonio so probably your man.

 

 

Wharf

[Frank_Smith]

I had a friend in St. Louis for one day last week, so I had her turn in a request for copies of any and all DFC award cards for the name Robert P. Butler. There was only one DFC card for the name. Here is a scan of your guy's card. Frank

[TheMariner]

Thank you so much Frank! I appreciate you taking the time to do that! I passed this medal along to another member how believes this man may have served at the same airbase he serves at now with the NG. I will pass this info along to him! Cheers RH