FIND AN OBITUARY
Service information is posted on our website only with approval from the family.
If you are seeking information not listed below, please contact us.
John Alden Butterfield
03/15/1937 — 02/19/2025
Celebration of Life
Watch the Celebration of Life
New to Livestream? Watch the tutorial.
Reception
John Alden Butterfield
Captain John Butterfield, US Navy (retired) passed away peacefully at home on February 19, 2025, with his wife Priscilla by his side. He was 87.
John was born in Elmira, NY and his family moved to Kinderhook, NY when he was 11. It was there that he built his fondest childhood memories swimming in Keuka Lake with his beloved brother, Norman. During this time, he was also greatly influenced by his Grandma Belle who always taught him to think of others first. He also developed a deep love of country and the desire to serve in our nation’s military. After high school, John was accepted to the US Naval Academy and graduated with the class of 1959. He graduated from flight school in 1961 and began a distinguished military career that spanned 30 years. He was truly an American hero and volunteered to join the vaunted “Black Ponies” of Navy Light Attack Squadron Four (VAL-4). The squadron flew the OV-10 Bronco aircraft in Vietnam, and quickly gained the reputation as the “can do” squadron willing to fly the most dangerous of missions. John was a cracker jack pilot and distinguished himself in combat, earning 21 Air Medals, the Distinguished Flying Cross, and the Bronze Star with Combat V. Captain Butterfield’s bravery would be highlighted again after Vietnam when he volunteered for the hostage rescue mission in Tehran, Iran in 1980. Having served previously in Tehran, he knew the streets very well and was to help lead Delta Force to the hostage location. Captain Butterfield credited much of his military success to his wife of 65 years, Priscilla, who cheerfully moved their family 36 times and endured long separations when he was deployed overseas. Her loyalty and support became even more important when Captain Butterfield was selected to command three different Navy units during his career: VT-28, Naval Station Souda Bay, and Naval Station Guam.
While stationed in Vietnam, Captain Butterfield found his love of distance running. Despite taking up the sport fairly late in life, it didn’t stop him from qualifying for the Olympic Trials in the marathon. At the age of 35, he finished 29th in a crowded field of some of the world’s best marathoners. His running exploits inspired many, as he was a favorite at local races with his booming voice, infectious smile, and his true interest in other’s success.
Captain Butterfield will be long remembered for his service to his country; and for his leadership that impacted countless members of our military in a profoundly positive way. His bravery and devotion to his country will live on in those that he inspired.
But he will be far more remembered for his kindness, his loving devotion to his wife and family, and his unshakeable faith in God.
The family requests donations (in lieu of flowers) to: Prevent Homeless Pets (preventhomelesspets.org)
John was an amazing serviceman and leader. The fact that so many who served with or under him wrote their testimonies in remembrance, well, it is impressive to say the least. Many of you may not know that after John retired and moved to Richland, he was a little bored. He and Priscilla were customers at Malley’s, our family owned pharmacy. One thing led to another, and he became our employee! He was a sales clerk and our delivery driver! He did such a wonderful job—we loved him, and our customers loved him! It worked out great for everyone! Many fond memories of John. RIP
Rest in Peace John. You were a good classmate and friend. When my DDG was in
Iranian waters in Dec 1974 you found our lost mail and greatly raised my crew’s morale. I think the last time e got together was in 1980 in Greece when I was on the Battle Group staff and we had dinner on the flagship together and I got a Corpsman to fix your sore foot. You one of the good guys and it was an honor to know you and be your classmate.
Delyn Kosbab
I thought time wise I would see the Service as it is 6am in Sydney Australia at the moment 3/16/25 and I can’t find it….so disappointing for the man I spent 10 months with in Vietnam in 1969.
I thought him to run and he planted my Pilot career from 85-2019.
I will try to find a replay of the Service.
It was an honor to have known him when he was the officer rep liaison for the Naval Academy Cross Country team in the early 80s. Fair Winds and Following Seas, Captain B.
From the order of the Swordfish,
I got to o know John in Bible Study Fellowship. I always looked forward to his comments and insights as we studied our way thru the Bible. John was always kind and humble in his approach to fellowship.
It was a privilege to serve under John Butterfield while stationed in South Vietnam!
I always considered it a privilege to have John as my commander office while serving in Vung
It was my privilege to serve with John in VAL-4. He was simply the best! A natural leader who was loved, admired and respected by all who knew him. BRAVO ZULU John!
A good friend
John Butterfield graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1959. He walked through those gates having been trained to be a great warrior. Ten years later, he emerged from the battlefield as a great, great hero. Consider just one of his 300+ combat missions when he responded to a call from an outpost of American soldiers who were on the verge of being overrun.
In addition to heavy groundfire, a low ceiling and heavy monsoon rainfall further complicated this mission, John and his wingman, Don Florko, remained on site until most of the attacking force were removed from the battlefield, one way or the other. But for the efforts of John and Don, that outpost would have surely been overrun, with the likely outcome of each American soldier there being killed or captured. It follows that somewhere between twenty and fifty names were never etched on the Vietnam Memorial. Instead, these lucky soldiers probably went home, raised a family, and, by now, are enjoying the joys of being a grandfather.
John would point out that our squadron, Light Attack Squadron FOUR, provided a collective effort of about 120 enlisted folks who ensured that all systems worked as designed once over any target. Indeed, for VAL–4 to succeed, it took a village, John was blessed with a great “village.”
To me, as an inexperienced young pilot fresh from flight training, he became my mentor, I sensed early on that he really wanted me to succeed.
His other non- flying duties demonstrated that he would push the boundaries for the good of our squadron. He was a force. A terrific athlete, one could find him jogging to work not being held back by that 110 degree tropical sun.
After the war, I met John’s lovely wife, Priscilla. He raised a wonderful family, and over his long life, John enriched many, many lives – a truly wonderful man.
John was a blessing! A fellow Naval Aviator and a brother in Christ!
Pete
Sbhayden@charter.net I cried reading this he was just a wonderful person
I’m sorry I missed the memorial service over at enon’s I forgot when it was
I will always have really fond memories of John. Just being an awesome brother in Christ and I considered him a grandpa in Christ also and I felt I had many of those. I have many of those still. He was an awesome gentleman, always kind-hearted loving obedient to God always. Always there for a good word, kind heart and just the awesome gentleman to be all around and an awesome Christian all together. We had good times over at retreats through the church retreats and different activities. Yeah he was just a really a fun loving guy him and his wife. His wife is a fun loving lady. I wish the butter Fields God’s best on everything and my deepest condolences. I loved John dearly
John was a good Commander. I admired him. May you Rest in Peace.
A great man and Navval Officer. Leader and friend. Rest well.
I was a VAL 4 Plank owner and served with John in Vung Tau. I admired and respected him. I was an enlisted man, but he always treated me with respect and was always there if I had a question or problem. Go with god.
John was one of the best Naval Aviators and human beings I have ever known. Fair winds and following seas.
My thoughts and prayers are with you, Priscilla and your family. I was a plank owner in VAL-4, and was in Det Bravo when John was the first OinC. I will aways remember the volleyball games that were played at the Vung Tau airfield and at our BOQ. He was the one who started it and all of us really enjoyed playing with “jungle rules”. He went on patrols with the PBR;s in order to acquaint them with our capabilities. He was always thinking of the men in the Detachment and how he could make thing better for them. I always said if I could have half the energy that John had, I would be a ball of fire.
He was one of a kind and will be missed
It has been said, and it is so true, “Don’t grieve for those who have passed, rather grieve for those who remain.”
May God be with you
Bill
God speed John Butterfield. You were my mentor in Viet Nam as a young pilot with VAL-4 during my assignment at Vung Tau. Your natural leadership has always been an inspiration to me. No doubt, you are currently organizing recreational programs in Heaven.
He gave so much to his country at he and his family’s expence
I Will Miss You At Our Coffee Days, Sir !! ….. You Are A True Hero In My Eyes. I Have The Utmost Respect For Your Accomplishments. God Bless Your Family !!
Guestbook for
John Alden Butterfield