Publish Date 
Written by From Bud Slavin: July 2002
Michael, I have a photo taken at Arlington and I am trying to find out the story behind it. I cannot scan it as I do not have one. The stone says:
GRANT L. BUTCHER
MSGT
US ARMY
WORLD WAR II
AUG 18 1921
DEC 26 1981
AIR CORPS
SOLE SURVIVOR
JAN 1944
POW SEP 4 1945
Do you have any information on the story behind this?
Sincerely, Bud Slavin
Lieutenant and later Captain Robert Brittenbach was the pilot of a B24 liberator during World War II. He was attached to the Tenth Air Force, 7th Bombardment Group, 436th Bombardment Squadron in Bishnapur, India. I have two crew pictures that were sent to me in 1988 by M.R.London (Asst radio operator and gunner). I have found almost all of the crew listed here except for my dad. Here is a list of names from his crew in 1942 Bishnapur, India. He was promoted to Captain in 1943. He recieved the air medal and the DFC for his efforts in the WWII.
Pilot – Lieutenant Robert Brittenbach Died 1948 Heart Attack
Copilot – Lieutenant Charles McLoughlin KIA on another bomber
Navagator – Lieutenant Cecil Painter
Bombadier – Lieutenant Joseph McCord
Engineer/Gunner – Staff Sergeant Grant Butcher MIA POW
Assistant Engineer/Gunner – Staff Sergeant Eric Edmondson
Radio/Gunner – Staff Sergeant Roman Shaeffer
Assistant Radio/Gunner – Staff Sergeant M.R. London
Tail Gunner – Staff Sergeant Henry Caldwell
Research continues regarding this crew and Sergeant Butcher.
BUTCHER, GRANT L
- MSGT US ARMY
- WORLD WAR II
- DATE OF BIRTH: 08/18/1921
- DATE OF DEATH: 12/26/1981
- BURIED AT: SECTION 34 SITE 5011
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