Butehorn

Sgt. Joesph L. Butehorn

Born July 24, 1922 in Bethpage, NY. Entered the U.S. Marine Air Force October 15, 1942.He was killed in action in the Pacific; May 10, 1945.

Joseph was born in Bethpage in July 24, 1922 to Catherine and Henry Butehorn. He was one of five children.

Joe went to Farmingdale H. S. He had a great love for sports. Joe was a fantastic basketball player and loved to play softball. After graduation Joe went to work for Grumman Aircraft. It seems strange that he worked on the same aircraft he was destined to fly in the war.

Joe joined the Marine Air Corp on October 15, 1942. With three Stars on his campaign bar and 37 successful missions to his credit Cpl. Joe, now a Marine Grunner, returned home and visited his Assoc. Grummans. This young Marine, who for two years welded tanks including Avengers, was now a turret gunner on a TBF.

After his leave Joe returned to his base. He was shot down over the Ryukyu Island area. A special searching team found an isolated grave on Myako Jima containing three bodies. Joe was one of the bodies that was buried. He was killed in action on May 10, 1945. He was returned and buried in Pinelawn National Cemetery next to his brother, mother and father who was a WWI Veteran. He is survived by his brother Henry Butehorn and sisters Ms. Madeline Cramer and Dorothy Keniski.

In 1945 the returning Bethpage World War II veterans held a meeting at the Powell Avenue Grade School. Vito DeFanis who is a Charter Member, past Commander and current Quartermaster explained it was the beginning of the V.F.W. The Butehorn Brothers were selected to be named in honor of the newly formed V.F.W.

Compiled by Joan Poppe, American Legion Auxiliary #86

Pvt. Charles E. Butehorn

Born June 12, 1925 in Richmond Hill, NY. Entered the service on November 1, 1943. He served during the invasions of Africia, Italy, and Southern France. He was killed in action in France; November 28, 1944.

Henry and Katherine Butehorn had a family of three boys and two girls. Two sons, Charlie and Joe, were killed six months apart in W.W. II. A street in McCordville was named for the family. (See Newsday, August 13, 1998, Part 2.)

Charles was the youngest of five children. He graduated from Bethpage Grade School, then went on to graduate Farmingdale High School with a 4.0 average. Charlie was a scholar in Latin and History. His dream was to be a history teacher. He was president of the Red Cross Council and a member of the National Honor Society and the Community Council.

He was awarded a scholarship to Syracuse University. He worked for Republic Aviation. In November he joined the Army. He left for overseas duty on April 14, 1944 after basic training at Camp McClelliac, Alabama. Pvt. Butehorn was in the 384th infantry in Europe. Charles was wounded participating in the second invasion of France on August 16, 1944. He contracted malaria while in the hospital.

After being discharged from the hospital he returned to the infantry in France. Charlie was killed in the invasion of Southern France on November 27, 1944. He is buried in Pinelawn National Cemetery next to his brother, mother and father who was a WWI Veteran.

See above - the V.F.W. #4987 is named for the Butehorn brothers.

Compiled by Joan Poppe, American Legion Auxiliary #86

Henry (Hank) Butehorn

Brother of Charles and Joseph. He was doing active duty in WWII when his brothers were killed. His mother wanted him home after losing two sons. Her request was granted. Hank had other plans, he was not coming home till he finished the job he started with the men he served with.

After the war Hank returned home to Bethpage to his wife Loretta where they raised their family.

CPHS NEWSLETTER - June, 2008