Their Families, One Cup at a Time"
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Maine
Awards::
The Honor of Saint Martin was recently bestowed upon Chief Warrant Officer Steve L. Butts, U.S. Army (Retired) of Saco, Maine. By Authority of the U.S. Army Quartermaster General and the 110th Congress of the United States of America, the Honor of Saint Marin was recently bestowed upon CWO Steve L. Butts, U.S. Army (Retired) of Hernando, Florida. General Eugene Stillions (former Quartermaster General of the Army) nominated CWO Butts based on his numerous accomplishments and continued commitment to the men and woman who continue to serve throughout the U.S. Army Quartermaster units worldwide: Steve Butts enlisted in the U.S. Army at the age of seventeen and attended basic training at Fort Dix, NJ and advance individual training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Having completed training at U.S. Quartermaster School, Fort Lee, Virginia, Butts received an accelerated promotion to the rank of Sergeant for his academic and leadership achievements. In December 1969 Butts was assigned to the 1st LOG Command whose mission was the establishment of a firm logistical base in support of forces in Viet Nam. These Logistical support areas were established in Saigon, Cam Ranh Bay, Qui Nhon, Nha Trang and Vung Tau. In 1970 Butts was assigned to the 2nd Log Command in Okinawa due to his age, where he provided logistical support to the 7th Physops and was responsible for the accounting and delivery of MPC (military pay currency) to Finance Units in support of Viet Nam. In 1971 Butts was assigned as the Chemical NCOIC responsible for the packing, transport and accountability of chemical weapons being moved from Okinawa to Johnston Atoll Island under Operation “Red Hat”. Sergeant Butts was recognized for maximizing efficiency while reducing injuries through the development and implementation of a Safety Program which was later utilized by Army Units worldwide and continues in use today. Butts also provided logistical support during Operations Enhanced and Operations Enhance Plus which included the transfer of military supplies and equipment to the South Vietnamese Government in advance of the cease fire that ended America’s involvement in Viet Nam. Sergeant Butts worked on Project Home Run which involved the extraction of major end items for distribution to U.S. Army Depots worldwide. He was awarded five ARCOM Medals during this period. In 1973 Butts was promoted to Staff Sergeant and returned to Fort Lee to attend the Non Commissioned Officers Logistics Program (NCOLP) and upon completion he was designated as the Honor Graduate. Following graduation he was assigned on temporary duty to the Joint Military Task Force providing logistical support to military and civilians stationed at the Arctic Circle. Although severely injured during an airlift pallet delivery, he successfully returned to duty. Between 1974 and 1976 Staff Sergeant Butts was assigned to the 13th COSCOM where he utilized his skills by redistributing supplies and equipment from worldwide DPDO’s (Defense Property Disposal Offices) to various combat and combat support units throughout III Corps and the 1st Calvary Division thereby improving the unit readiness and enhancing the deployment status of units throughout the Command. Because of his in-depth knowledge of the DLOGs automated system, Butts was selected to deploy in support of Reforger Training Exercises during which he was selected to assist in fielding of this automated system throughout CONUS and various locations overseas and was award the Meritorious Service medal. In 1977 following his attendance at the NCOES Advance Course where he graduated on the Commandant’s List, Butts was selected for promotion to Sergeant First Class and assigned to the VII Corps in Stuttgart, West Germany where is was responsible for establishing direct coordination and logistical support to all Multinational Forces and Observers (MFO’s). Butts’ knowledge of Depot Operations enhanced logistical support throughout the European Theater of Operations for which he was awarded the Meritorious Service Metal 4th OLC. In 1978 Butts was appointed to Warrant Officer while assigned to the 5/6th Air Defense Artillery (Nuclear Surety Program) and was subsequently transferred to the 1st Division Material Management Center at Fort Riley, Kansas. Between 1978 and 1980 Butts performed dual roles as a 761A – Automated Property Book Officer and 762A – Supply Support Technician. During this period Butts deployed 13 times in support of Training Exercises, and Humanitarian Operations in Germany, Italy, France, Scotland, England, Ireland, Turkey, Afghanistan, Korea, Japan, Spain, Netherlands and Greenland. In 1980 Butts was assigned to SOUTHCOM in Panama and provided logistical support to the 7th Special Forces Group and School of the Americas. He participated in various operations in El Salvador, Columbia and Guatemala (to include disruption of drug trafficking in the Caribbean). In February 1983 he deployed as part of the 193rd Infantry Brigade, Panama to Puerto Rico for the purposes of establishing and providing logistical support for a new Haitian Refugee Camp. Butts’ certification in Air Assault and Jungle Operations greatly enhanced the delivery of personnel, supplies and equipment. During this deployment CWO Butts was injured while repelling from a UH-60 and sustained a break in his lower back. He overcame all medical expatiations and returned to full duty within weeks. In October 1983 Butts again deployed from Panama to Puerto Rico to establish a Forward Logistical Support Base in support of Urgent Fury (the invasion of Grenada). CWO Butts was awarded the Puerto Rican National Guard Merit Cross for his dedication, support and compassion as well as his keen knowledge of logistical support operations. During 1984 CWO Butts was reassigned to USAQMS and was assigned by the Quartermaster General to develop, obtain support for and implement the Supply Excellence Award. CWO Butts was further assigned on temporary duty to the Pentagon where he worked for the Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics. Following two years of research and development, the first on-site evaluations occurred in 1986 at various units around the world. Butts completed these inspections and worldwide travel in 86 days. The Quartermaster General awarded CWO Butts the Legion of Merit for his work on various logistical programs including the successful implementation of the Supply Excellence Award Program. During this period he successfully obtained his Bachelors Degree under the Army’s Bootstrap Program. Chief Butts was later transferred to the West Point Military Academy where he received his commission as a Warrant Officer under the academies’ ceremonial oak tree. In 1988 CWO Butts deployed from 10th Special Forces Group, Fort Devens, Massachusetts to Lockerbie, Scotland as part of a recovery mission following the explosion of Pan Am 103 where he participated in Operation Return Home. Upon successful completion of this assignment he return to Fort Devens and was awarded the Meritorious Service Metal 5th OLC. CWO Butts later deployed 7 additional times to various locations throughout the Middle East and Central America in support of the 10th Special Forces which included Operations Golden Pheasant and Mount Hope III. In September 1989 CWO Butts retired from the U.S. Army and returned to Maine to care for ailing Grandmother and family members. In 1996 CWO Butts was inducted as a Distinguished Member of the Quartermaster Regiment’s Hall of Fame for being a sterling example of Quartermasters "Supporting Victory”. He is a Life Member of the Association of Quartermasters; DAV; VFW; American Legion; Florida Elks Lodge 2522 in Hernando and MOAA; and is also a member of various local clubs and activities. He currently serves as Community Association Manager for Spruce Creek Preserve Homeowners’ Association outside of Ocala, Florida where he works in conjunction with Sentry Management, Inc. of Longwood, Florida.
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