November 2023 Honor A Deceased Veteran – Richard L. Butterfield

Richard L. Butterfield
1945-2022

FAMILY HISTORY:
Richard “Rick” L. Butterfield was born on April 25, 1945 in Mansfield, Ohio. He was the son of Richard and Shirley (Larkin) Butterfield, and the brother of Sharon and Rodney.

EDUCATION:
As a child, Rick’s family moved to Averill Park, New York where he attended Averill Park High School, and then went on to attend The State University of New York where he received his bachelor’s degree.

HISTORY:
On September 30, 1963, Rick enlisted in the United States Army in Albany, New York. He was commissioned a second lieutenant upon graduation from Officer Candidate School at Ft. Benning, Georgia in March 1965 and sent to Vietnam as a Pathfinder Team Leader, 11^th Pathfinders 1^st Cav. Division. He saw combat in the battles at LZ X-Ray, LZ Columbus and LZ Albany-Ia Drang Valley, where he and his team directed helicopter resupply and medical evacuation and rescue missions. It was here that he was wounded and did not leave his team until all other wounded soldiers were removed from the battlefield. Rick served his second tour in Vietnam in 1968 as Captain and company commander of E Company, 2^nd Battalion, 506 Infantry, 101^st Airborne. His company conducted many combat operations. After recovering from injuries at Camp Zama, Japan he returned to Vietnam and served as Team Commander with the 5^th Special Forces Group (Airborne) Green Berets assigned to MACV-SOG. Missions from his unit were classified.

On February 10, 1970, Rick was honorably discharged from the United States Army. For his honorable service, he was awarded many personal awards which include the Legion of Merit, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal (6^th Award), Armed Forces Reserve Medal (2^nd Award), Army Service Ribbon, Parachute Badge, National Defense Service Medal (2^nd Award), Army Good Conduct Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon (3^rd Award), Combat Infantryman Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, Special Forces Tab, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palms, and Vietnam Special Forces Jump Wings. After serving on active duty, Rick served in the New York Army National Guard as a company commander, Battalion Commander 2^nd of the 105^th Infantry, and as a Commander of the 1^st Brigade, 42^nd Infantry Division. Rick was breveted to the rank of Brigadier General upon his retirement in 1995.

 PERSONAL:
On July 27, 2020, Rick married his wife, Cathy (Bullis) in Flagler County, Florida. He has three loving children: Lori, Hayden and the late Eric; and seven grandchildren: Emma, Robert, Grace, Kasha, Zoe, Hayden and Roan.

WORK EXPERIENCE:
After his years of service, Rick spent 35 years the New York State Police, serving from 1970 to 2006. There he received certification at the Canine Handlers Basic School with his K-9 partner Frey who was trained in explosives detection. Rick moved into undercover work as an investigator with CNET and the BCI, and also spent time as a Firearms Instructor, Rifle Sharpshooter, member of the Underwater Recovery Team and was the Police Benevolent Association Delegate, Troop G. After retiring from the NYS Police, Rick joined the Warren County Sheriff’s Office as Marine Patrol on Lake George and then was cross designated to go back undercover to work on a Task Force with NYS Police CNET where he again received commendation for his undercover work. Rick was awarded the NYS Conspicuous Service Medal, the NYS Military Commendation Medal, the NYS Aid to Civil Authorities Medal (2^nd Award), the Long and Faithful Service Award (25 years), and was the third recipient of the Rev. Francis A. Kelley Home Town Hero Award in 2016.

COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES/ORGANIZATIONS:
Rick was the Commodore (1997) and a lifetime member of the Castleton Boat Club, lifetime member of the Nassau Sportsmen’s Club, past board member of Lebanon Valley Speedway and was a member of the Disabled American Veterans of Troy. He was a member of the Renegade Pigs Motorcycle Club and enjoyed their annual Christmas visit to St. Margaret’s Center wearing his Santa hat.

Rick loved to work on and drive cars and motorcycles, and enjoyed riding his Harley cross country. He also liked boating, fishing, checking out new restaurants and spending time with his family, friends and his dog Harper.

Sadly, on May 16, 2022, Rick passed away.

Honor A Deceased Veteran Ceremony will be held in the Legislative Chambers of the Rensselaer County Legislature.

**Please note the new location:  99 Troy Road, East Greenbush, N.Y. 12061.

For questions or application information, please contact the Legislature at 518-270-2880.