ROBERT PAUL BUTLER was born in Torrington, Connecticut, to Raymond and Lucienne Butler, of Irish and French descent, respectively. His Gallic good looks reflected this European heritage, and undoubtedly spawned his nickname "Robaire," much used in later life by his friends and colleagues. He was raised in the Catholic faith, and his parents ensured that his public education was balanced with regular church activities. Thus, Bob's religion became an important influence throughout his life.

He did well in school and ranked as co-salutatorian of his Torrington High School class. Upon graduating in May 1945, Bob had already been accepted at Johns Hopkins University and had an alternate appointment to USMA. He initially enrolled at Johns Hopkins, but upon learning that his Academy appointment had been upgraded to a primary appointment, he abandoned his ongoing studies and entered West Point on 2 July 1945 as one of the youngest members of the Class of '49.

Once at the Academy, Bob wisely decided to "do West Point" the easy way: live with the system, stay out of trouble, and keep his grades in the green. He even found time to help his academically challenged classmates when the need arose. Most important, he was active in his faith by serving as an acolyte in the Catholic Chapel during his upperclass years. Along the way, he developed a fascination with card games: poker, pinochle, and especially bridge.

Upon graduation, Bob was commissioned in the Air Force and assigned to Perrin Air Force Base near Sherman, TX, for basic flight training. While there, he met a blonde Texas lass named Jo Anne Cappleman who would prove more than a match for his own strong personality. Despite Bob's training regimen, their romance continued in fits and starts for over a year. As was bound to happen, they were soon engaged.

Meanwhile, Bob transitioned in early 1950 to advanced flight training at Nellis AFB, NV, flying the legendary F-51 Mustang. Just before graduation, however, the Korean War broke out, and in early August, Bob found himself with several other new pilots reporting to Bergstrom AFB, Austin, TX, for assignment to the 27th Fighter Escort Wing. The wing was just transitioning to F-84E jet fighters, and combat duty was looming. But at least Bob was back in Texas. Wasting no time, he and Jo Anne exchanged wedding vows at the Bergstrom Base Chapel on 1 Sep 1950. Many friends and classmates were there to wish them well.

In mid-November, the 27th FEW deployed to K-2 Air Base, Taegu, Korea, mounting its first combat sortie on 7 Dec 1950. Several months later, the wing redeployed to Itazuke Air Base in southern Japan. Combat operations continued until the following summer, when the 27th was relieved by other units. Not all pilots returned home safely, but Bob was happily among the survivors. Five Air Medals and a Distinguished Flying Cross were further testimony to his courage and airmanship over the unfriendly skies of North Korea.

Bob remained with the 27th FEW almost two years after returning to Bergstrom, but left in 1953 to help reactivate the 506th Strategic Fighter Wing at Bangor, ME. The wing was equipped with F-84G aircraft and, later, the swept-wing F-84F. During this assignment, he was promoted to captain and designated a flight leader. Two years later, the wing relocated to Tinker AFB, OK, and transitioned into the supersonic F-100D. In 1956, Bob was selected for the wing gunnery team, a signal honor, and competed in the USAF gunnery meet that year at Nellis AFB.

In the late 1950s, as strategic fighter wings began disbanding, Bob and Jo Anne found themselves bound for England to the 20th Tactical Fighter Wing, based at RAF Wethersfield. Upon arrival, Bob was placed on the wing commander's staff, as tactical evaluation team leader and coordinator for training deployments to Wheelus AB, Libya. Later, Bob was also named training officer for the wing gunnery team, scheduled to compete at the USAF gunnery meet in September 1960. On the home front, Bob and Jo Anne adopted a baby daughter, who was the light of their lives. Her godfather was Felix (Doc) Blanchard '47, commanding officer of the squadron to which Bob was attached for flying. Bob, in fact, was looking forward to spending a few precious days with his family when he and a gunnery team member taxied out for takeoff at Wheelus in a twin-seated F-100F. But there was a malfunction on takeoff and the flight never got airborne. Thus the life and times of Robert Paul Butler came to a sudden and violent end.

Back in England, Doc Blanchard and key wing personnel met with Jo Anne to break the news and offer assistance. Doc made funeral arrangements and insisted on escorting her back to the States. On 24 August, services were held at the West Point Catholic Chapel. Both families attended, with six classmates acting as honorary pallbearers. Meanwhile, the 20th TFW soldiered on, entering the 1960 gunnery meet as planned. They brought with them the Butler-Hebal Trophy, conceived in honor of Bob and his co-pilot, to be awarded for best sportsmanship at the competition. Not surprisingly, the 20th also took it home with them.

Today, Bob is survived only by his widow, Jo Anne, and his daughter, Lisa, both living in Sherman, TX, and his brother, Henry, in Utica, NY. But all who knew him have missed him and wonder what might have been. In 1960, Bob's career was poised for takeoff; he was already on the promotion and senior school selection lists. Who knows what heights he might have reached, in the cockpit or elsewhere? But God, in his infinite wisdom, elected to keep this brave and faithful servant from that day hence. So rest in peace, Robaire, you have surely earned it.

His family and classmates
TAPS MAY / JUNE 2005

Personal Eulogy