US Army
First Sergeant
Myron E. McIlwain
(Petersburg)
1SG McIlwain first entered active duty in November, 1943 serving as a Medical Aidman with the 69th Infantry Division. He was wounded and awared the Purple Heart, Bronze Star and the Combat Medical Badge (CMB).
He remained in the Army and served during the Korean War with the 2nd Infantry Division. He received his second award of his CMB.
In 1965, he returned to Korea for asssignment as the First Sergeant of Company B, 2nd Medical Battalion, 2nd ID.
Master Sergeant
William E. Butler
(Indianapolis)
MSG Butler enlisted in 1946 at the age of 16. In 2000, Butler was inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame on Wednesday, October 4, 2000,
He began his career in 1946, enlisting at the age of 16. After Basic traing, he graduated from jump school and was assigned to the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division.
During the Korean War, he was assigned to 5th Ranger Infantry Company. Later he was assigned to Fort Bragg, NC with the 77th Special Forces Group.
He was discharged in 1957 and remained out of the Army until 1965 when he joined the Indiana Army National Guard.
In 1968, as part of Company D (Ranger), 151st Infantry, Butler deployed to Vietnam. Company D was the only Infantry National Guard to deploy during the war.
(Then) SFC Butler was awarded the Silver Star. During an ambush, Butler was wounded by a rocket propelled grenade (RPG). He manuvered forward to engage the RPG team, detonating one of their grenades with his rifle fire, killing both of the enemy.
At age 59, MSG Butler made his last parachute jump, retiring in 1989.
In 2000, MSG Butler was induicted into the Ranger Hall of Fame. In 2007,
Ranger Butler's Awards include Silver Star with Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Medal (2d Awd), Army Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal with Clasp, WWII Victory Medal, Army Occupation Medal, National Defense Service Medal with Star, Korean Service Ribbon with 2 Stars, Vietnam Service Medal with 3 Stars, NCODP (4th Awd), Army Service Ribbon, United Nations Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Indiana Long Service Medal, National Emergency Service Ribbon of Indiana.
Chief Warrent Officer Five
Thomas A. Brandli
(Brazil)
CW5 Brandli enlisted in the Army in 1974, qualifying as an Army Aviator flying helicopters. Among his awards, he earned the Ranger tab, airborne wings, Expert Infantry Badge, and SCUBA badge. In 1995, as part of US Army Europe, he was sent to Kaposvar, Hungary to establish a base for the Army's peace keeping role in Bosnia.
