Braintree man awarded Bronze Star

Patriot Ledger, The (Quincy, MA) - Wednesday, January 23, 2008

By Adam Riglian, The Patriot Ledger

Staff Sgt. Kenny Butler of Braintree lost his right arm above the elbow after shrapnel from an improvised explosive device ripped through his Humvee in Baghdad on May 14.

Still, he feels relatively lucky.

'I was a lefty, so I made out on that part of the deal,' Butler said by telephone from Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. He has been recuperating there since being wounded and has been learning how to use a prosthetic.

The 1999 Braintree High School graduate was to receive the Bronze Star today. The medal, awarded for bravery and acts of merit, is the military's fourth-highest combat award.

Sgt. Butler, 27, enlisted in the Army in September 2001, 'right after 9/11.'

He has served in the Army's 82nd Airborne Division since early 2002, completing a tour of duty in Afghanistan and three in Iraq. He has received two Purple Hearts.

Butler said the blast that cost him his arm also sent shrapnel into the right side of his chest; it went through his torso and out the other side. Somehow, the shards missed his vital organs.

'I was the only one wounded, so that was a good thing,' he said.

His father, Joseph Butler, said his son is playing down the Bronze Star, but 'it must mean a lot to him.'

'He's not a vain person. As he sees it, he just did his job,' Joseph Butler said.

Kenny Butler said he hopes to be released from the hospital by early summer.

'Walter Reed's taking pretty good care of me,' he said.

After he was injured by shrapnel during his first tour in Iraq he received his first Purple Heart for that he felt compelled to return to the war with his unit, Butler said.

Despite what happened, he said he has no regrets.

'People really have each other's back and care about each other in the service,' he said. 'I feel like I belong there with the men, in battle. I couldn't let them go without me.'

Edward B. Colby contributed to this story.

Adam Riglian may be reached at ariglian@ledger.com.