1-1 1 1-2 SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 1004 1-3 In Memory 1-4 of 1-5 Edwin B. Buttery 1-6 WHEREAS, The members of the Texas Senate mourned the passing 1-7 of one of the state's beloved heroes, Colonel Edwin B. Buttery, 1-8 who died April 7, 1997, at the age of 81; and 1-9 WHEREAS, A man of immense courage and magnificent spirit, 1-10 Colonel Buttery devoted his life to his country and never wavered 1-11 from his duties to protect and defend our nation in times of peril; 1-12 and 1-13 WHEREAS, A native son, Edwin Buttery was born in 1-14 San Angelo, Texas, on July 14, 1915, to Albert James and 1-15 Dorothy Hoss Buttery; a 1933 graduate of San Angelo High School, 1-16 Edwin wanted to become an engineer, but difficult economic times 1-17 prevented him from attending Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1-18 and instead, he attended San Angelo College on Massie Scholarships, 1-19 West Point Preparatory School in San Antonio, and San Angelo College 1-20 for a preengineering degree; and 1-21 WHEREAS, In 1937, Edwin entered the United States Military 1-22 Academy at West Point after receiving an appointment to the school 1-23 from Vice President John Nance Garner; he graduated four years later 2-1 with a bachelor of science degree in general engineering; and 2-2 WHEREAS, The young second lieutenant was assigned to 2-3 Fort Sam Houston with the 2nd Infantry Division, but the advent of 2-4 World War II resulted in his reassignment to the XVI Corps; in 1945, 2-5 his unarmed L-4 Piper Cub was hit by a German Quad during the 2-6 Rhineland Offensive while he was directing artillery fire on a gun 2-7 emplacement; gravely wounded, he crashed behind enemy lines, but 2-8 continued to transmit gun locations to our advancing troops; he was 2-9 later rescued by American soldiers from a trench and underwent brain 2-10 surgery in Holland, one of many hospitalizations he was to endure 2-11 over several years; for his gallantry in action, Edwin was awarded 2-12 the Silver Star Medal and the Purple Heart; and 2-13 WHEREAS, Told by Army doctors that he would never fly again, 2-14 Colonel Buttery celebrated V-E Day in San Angelo by renting a 2-15 Piper Cub and enjoying flying in perfect sunny weather; while 2-16 on sick leave in September, 1945, he married his longtime fiancee, 2-17 Mary Elizabeth Glannen, who remained his devoted companion until her 2-18 death in 1982; he resumed his military career in 1946 as an artillery 2-19 officer at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, where their son, Edwin, Jr., was born 2-20 that September; and 2-21 WHEREAS, During the Korean War, Colonel Buttery became a combat 2-22 intelligence officer in Tokyo under General Douglas MacArthur; for 2-23 his outstanding service, the general presented him with the Bronze 2-24 Star Medal; and 2-25 WHEREAS, From 1952 until 1954, the colonel was associate 3-1 professor of military science at the University of Nebraska 3-2 until the army transferred him to the University of Southern 3-3 California, where he earned a master of science degree in 3-4 mechanical engineering; upon graduation, Edwin was ordered to 3-5 Fort Bliss, Texas, and White Sands Missile Range to work in 3-6 research and development, specializing in surface to surface 3-7 guided missiles; later, he commanded a guided missile battalion 3-8 in Fort Sill, Oklahoma; and 3-9 WHEREAS, After spending several months in Brooke Army Medical 3-10 Center for further recovery of his war wounds, he received orders 3-11 to go to Korea, where he was promoted to colonel and became 3-12 inspector general of I Corps; for his exceptionally meritorious 3-13 conduct in the performance of his duties, Colonel Buttery was 3-14 awarded the Legion of Merit upon his retirement in 1969; and 3-15 WHEREAS, He eventually returned to San Angelo where he lived 3-16 quietly, but kept busy with many philanthropic causes, including 3-17 the Mary E. Buttery Library at the Spring Hill School in 3-18 McLean, Virginia, where his wife had taught first grade; he 3-19 also financed the education of several friends and donated 3-20 generously to help found the Adult Day Care Center in San Angelo, 3-21 whose main building is known as the Mary E. Buttery Memorial 3-22 Building; and 3-23 WHEREAS, His dignity, steadfastness, strength of character, 3-24 and faithfulness characterized his entire life; Colonel Buttery 3-25 upheld the West Point motto: "Duty, Honor, Country," and was an 4-1 officer and a gentleman of firm principle, quick intelligence, 4-2 wry humor, selfless service, and uncompromised honor; now, 4-3 therefore, be it 4-4 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 4-5 75th Legislature, hereby honor the life of Colonel Edwin B. Buttery 4-6 and extend sincere condolences to his bereaved family: his son 4-7 and daughter-in-law, Edwin B. Buttery, Jr., and Vickie Buttery; his 4-8 brothers, James Buttery, Lewis Buttery, and Robert Buttery; his 4-9 sister, Dorothy Olson; and his nieces and nephews; and, be it 4-10 further 4-11 RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for his 4-12 family as an expression of deepest sympathy from the Texas Senate, 4-13 and that when the Senate adjourns this day, it do so in memory of 4-14 Edwin B. Buttery. 4-15 Wentworth 4-16 ______________________________________ 4-17 President of the Senate 4-18 I hereby certify that the above 4-19 Resolution was adopted by the Senate 4-20 on June 2, 1997, by a rising vote. 4-21 ______________________________________ 4-22 Secretary of the Senate 4-23 ______________________________________ 4-24 Member, Texas Senate