Henry Buttelmann

Henry Buttelmann
Buttelmann with his F-86 Sabre in Korea
Nickname(s)	Hank
Born	(1929-06-26)June 26, 1929 Corona, New York
Died	September 16, 2019(2019-09-16) (aged 90) Frankfort, Illinois
Buried	Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery
Allegiance	United States
Service / branch	United States Air Force
Years of service	1952–1979
Rank	Lieutenant colonel
Unit	25th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron 562d Tactical Fighter Squadron
Battles / wars	Korean War Vietnam War
Awards	Silver Star Distinguished Flying Cross (4) Air Medal (25)
Spouse(s)	Audrey Buttelmann[1]

Henry "Hank" Buttelmann (June 26, 1929 – September 16, 2019) was a fighter pilot of the United States Air Force in the Korean War and Vietnam War. He achieved seven victories over enemy aircraft in Korea, making him a flying ace. He gained his fifth kill on June 30, 1953, just after his 24th birthday, which made him the youngest ace of the war.

Buttelmann was born in Corona, Queens, New York City, and attended the University of Bridgeport for two years. He was sent to Korea in December 1952, flying as a wingman in the F-86 Sabre jet against MiG-15s in "MiG Alley", the area around the border between North Korea and China. He shot down his first plane on June 19 of the next year, and he scored his fifth victory eleven days later. He added two more in July, days before the end of hostilities. He served two tours during the Vietnam War, flying the F-105 Thunderchief and F-100 Super Sabre. He retired from the Air Force in 1979 after a career total of 286 combat missions.