Article about Charles L Butler

Vietnam magazine recently ran an article about Chuck Butler. LTC Butler, KIA near An Loc, RVN on June 21, 1972, was the last member of the class to die in combat. Thank you to LTC Butler’s son for sending in the article.

“DUTY, HONOR, COUNTRY”

FROM THE BATTLEFIELDS OF KOREA TO VIETNAM, CHUCK BUTLER WAS AN INSPIRATION TO ALL WHO KNEW HIM

By John D. Howard

… As in the early 1960s, the only Americans fighting on the ground were a handful of U.S. advisers with the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN). One of them was Lt. Col. Charles L. “Chuck” Butler, an adviser with the 31st ARVN Regiment, 21st ARVN Division, who I met the first week of May ’72.

…Chuck Butler was a seasoned combat veteran. He had been an adviser in Vietnam from 1963- 64 and an infantry platoon leader during the Ko- rean War. He was a true font of knowledge and had a great perspective on the war. His counsel proved to be invaluable to me as I was getting my feet on the ground. Because Chuck was a modest man, I didn’t learn of his heroism in Korea until years later.

Read the full article

Classmate General Fidel Ramos Dies at age 94

Former president of the Philippines and class of 1950 graduate Fidel “Eddie” Ramos passed away on July 31, 2022.

Eddie graduated from West Point, fought in Korea, then went on to become a general in the Philippine Army before serving as the 12th president of the Philippines from 1992 to 1998.

Read General Ramos’s Obituary from NBC News and see details about his Distinguished Graduate Award from West Point.

Col. Walter A. Wood III Funeral

COL. Walter A. Wood III funeral service has been scheduled for November 7, 2022 at Fort Myers Chapel, Arlington Va. at 9:00 am.

If attending the service, please be at the Chapel by 8:15 am.

Please contact Douglas Wood at douglaswoododbc@gmail.com or call (703-593-1359) with any questions.

Colonel Morris Joseph Herbert, IV Funeral Scheduled

Morris Herbert's funeral is confirmed to take place on October 18, 2021 at 1:30pm in the West Point cemetery chapel.

LTC Charles L Butler Army Reserve Center Rededication

We are rededicating the LTC Charles L Butler Army Reserve Center in Saco, Maine in June 2022, the 70th anniversary of his death in Vietnam.

The 99th Readiness Division will be the host as it is the "owner" while another reserve unit that provides NCOs to West Point's summer training is the tenant.

The dates are still more than a year away, and have not yet been locked in, but if any members of the class of 1950 wanted to be included on the guest list, please let Ambassador Larry Butler know at law.butler@gmail.com.

70th Reunion Cancelled

The Superintendent made the difficult decision to not host the class reunions scheduled this spring at West Point. This decision was made given the current conditions with the Coronavirus pandemic and the pending deadline each reunion class is facing with their reunion hotel.

Numerous events at the Academy have been impacted by the pandemic, particularly those involving Alumni, Parents, and the public. Unfortunately, they are unable to reschedule our reunion as this is the third set of reunions that could not be hosted due to the pandemic.

If you made a hotel reservation through the AOG, do NOT cancel it. The AOG will take care of that and you will avoid cancellation fees.

The Class has had a long run of Reunions and Minis over the years. There were so many great times plus the wonderful tailgates and football weekends, so remember times past and the classmates and wives we got to know.

It is with great affection for all of you, and many thanks for your support, that we will miss our 70th Reunion..

Class Reunion Postponed

It is with deepest regret that we will have to postpone our reunion.  We are working with the WPAOG and USMA Staff to come up with new dates and will inform you when the date has been selected as well as when the hotel room blocks are open.  Speaking of room block, the WPAOG Staff will cancel your room for you.  We ask that you do not cancel them so that we, the Class of 1950, won’t owe the Thayer Hotel any fees for early cancellation.  Please be patient as we go through this epidemic. Stay safe and healthy!

Clyde Spence
Reunion Chair

Robin DeGraf Memorial

Passed away March 11, 2020 in her home the week before her 91st birthday. She was born March 20, 1929 in Seattle, Washington, the second child of Arthur and Gwyneth (Gamage) Wilde, and sister of Georgia (Wilde) Brotsch. She grew up in Petaluma, California.

She is survived by Col. William B. DeGraf, her stalwart spouse, whom she married over 69 years ago in West Point, NY; her daughters Gwyneth DeGraf and Leslie Jones and her sons Scot DeGraf and Brad DeGraf; as well as five grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.

The wife of an army officer, she moved frequently until the DeGrafs settled south of Alexandria in 1961 . She loved to sing harmony and sang in many church choirs, as well as Sweet Adelines. She led the a capella group Robin and the Hoods at The Fairfax, where she spent the last 14 years of her life. She was an avid genealogist and staunch Episcopalian.

She will be buried at West Point, New York. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Hope House DC, P.O. 60682, Washington, DC 20039.