Henry Varnum Butler (1874-1957)
Born on March 9, 1974 in Paterson, New Jersey.
Graduated from Annapolis in 1895 and commissioned in 1897. Aide to Captain Charles V. Gridley aboard the Olympia at the battle of Manila Bay in the Spanish-American War. Served aboard the Buffalo during the Boxer Rebellion and Commanding Officer of the Mindora in the Philippine Insurrection of 1901. Aide to Admiral George Dewey 1907-1911. Captain of the port at Panama Canal Zone 1914-1915.
Commanding Officer of the San Francisco attached to the British Grand Fleet in World War I.
Commanding Officer of the Michigan in 1921 and the Saratoga 1926-1927. Rear Admiral in 1927. Chief of Staff to the Commander in Chief United States Fleet 1927-1929. Superintendent of the Naval Gun Factory 1931-1934. Vice Admiral in April 1935. Commander of Aircraft, Battle Force 1935-1936. Commandant of Sixth, Seventh and Eighth Naval Districts 1936-1938.
Retired in April 1938. Recalled to active duty in March 1942. Administrative Officer in the Office of the Secretary of the Navy March 1942-October 1944. Decorations included the Distinguished Service Medal.
Died on August 6, 1957.
BUTLER, ANNA K W/O VARNUM BUTLER
DATE OF DEATH: 03/18/1947
BURIED AT: SECTION 2 SITE 1039-D
ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY.
Michael Robert Patterson was born in Arlington and is the son of a former officer of the US Army. So it was no wonder that sooner or later his interests drew him to American history and especially to American military history. Many of his articles can be found on renowned portals like the New York Times, Washingtonpost or Wikipedia.
Reviewed by: Michael Howard