[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 5]
[Senate]
[Page 6527]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




           CONGRATULATING LIEUTENANT COLONEL HENRY BUTTELMANN

  Mr. HELLER. Mr. President, today, I wish to congratulate Lt. Col. 
Henry Buttelmann on receiving the Congressional Gold Medal, honoring 
his role as an American Fighter Ace during the Korean and Vietnam wars. 
American Fighter Aces are pilots who shot down five or more enemy 
planes in aerial combat during time of war. It gives me great pleasure 
to honor Lieutenant Colonel Buttelmann for his bravery and his 
accomplishments while serving the United States of America.
  Lieutenant Colonel Buttelmann is credited with seven confirmed air 
victories, five of which were during a short 12-day period. He was the 
youngest American Fighter Ace of the Korean war and flew a North 
American F-86 Sabre when he earned his Ace status. From 1948 to 1950, 
Lieutenant Colonel Buttelmann attended the University of Bridgeport, 
serving as a private in the 514th Troop Carrier Group with the Air 
National Guard. After graduating from Big Springs Air Force Base in 
Texas, he received advanced gunnery training at Nellis Air Force Base 
in Nevada. He was then sent to serve in the Korean war beginning 
December of 1952 and earned his Ace status on June 30, 1953. After his 
service in the Korean war, Lieutenant Colonel Buttelmann returned to 
Nellis Air Force Base for instructor duty. He then served in the 
Vietnam war, logging 286 combat missions during his tours. His service 
to our country is invaluable.
  I extend my deepest gratitude to Lieutenant Colonel Buttelmann for 
his courageous contributions to the United States of America. His 
service to his country and his bravery earn him a place among the 
outstanding men and women who have valiantly defended our Nation. His 
legacy as an American Fighter Ace will continue on for years to come.
  As a member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, I recognize 
that Congress has a responsibility not only to honor these brave 
individuals who serve our Nation, but also to ensure they are cared for 
when they return home. I remain committed to upholding this promise for 
our veterans and servicemembers in Nevada and throughout the Nation. 
Lieutenant Colonel Buttelmann's sacrifice warrants only the greatest 
respect and care in return.
  Lieutenant Colonel Buttelmann displayed true dedication to his trade, 
loyalty to defending his country, and full commitment to excellence as 
an American Fighter Ace. I am both humbled and honored by his service 
and am proud to call him a fellow Nevadan. Today, I ask my colleagues 
to join me in recognizing Lt. Col. Henry Buttelmann for all of his 
achievements. I wish him well in all of his future endeavors.

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