Northern Indiana VA recently had the honor of helping World War II veteran Lawrence Butler celebrate his 105th birthday. Butler was born Oct. 17, 1918, in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Butler was an only child and joined the Army in 1939, serving in the First Armored Division, where he worked with tanks. On Dec. 7, 1941, he was getting ready to go home for the holidays when he learned of the attack on Pearl Harbor.
“All furloughs were canceled and duty would continue seven days a week,” he recalled.
Butler deployed overseas and participated in campaigns throughout North Africa and Italy. He served as a tank commander and a platoon commander. He earned two WWII campaign medals and a good conduct ribbon.
Butler was discharged in 1945. He returned home and started an international farm tractor implement business and ran it for 30 years.
“The military taught me leadership. I had to learn to take charge and it prepared me for things,” he said.
Butler lives independently. He has outlived three wives and has two daughters, three grandchildren and three great grandchildren. When asked about his secret to longevity he replied, “Walking and exercise.”