St. Charles man a hero -- and he has the medal to prove it
Duane Buttell of St. Charles knows exactly what he went through in the skies over North Vietnam on July 14, 1966.
He knows what kind of combat engagement he was involved in as a first lieutenant in the Air Force. And he knows that some of his comrades did not live to tell about it.
He knows that the circumstances of that day would ultimately call on him to show courage and skills above and beyond the call of duty. And he knows his actions resulted in a top military honor - the Silver Star for gallantry in battle.
But apparently there are some who claim to have earned the Silver Star, but did not. An investigative reporter from a media outlet recently called Buttell, quizzing him on his credentials and challenging whether he earned the honor proudly displayed by his two Silver Star license plates.
"I was really caught off guard by this and kind of set back, because the questions were being asked in an accusatory fashion, as if I was hiding something," said Buttell, who flew 153 combat missions in Vietnam from February to September in 1966.
"This reporter somehow had Social Security numbers of those who had earned a Silver Star, but he said he had no record of mine," said Buttell, a retired United Airlines pilot, who immediately contacted Air Force officials to determine how such a mix-up could occur.
Buttell, who showed me his citation, a photo of him receiving the honor and, of course, the Silver Star itself, said the military confirmed his records did exist. Then the reporter later admitted he had used the wrong Social Security number in trying to track Buttell's records. Apologies were made and accepted, but Buttell said he was glad to hear someone was trying to expose those who would lie about military honors.
Proud of son: Mary Agnes Zellmer couldn't be prouder of her 10-year-old son Jim, who has Type I diabetes and has been doing something about it since it was first diagnosed four years ago.
Jim and his family had the desire to fund diabetes research, resulting in the Pumpkins for a Cure fundraiser in which area residents can purchase fall and Halloween decorations.
This year's fourth annual event takes place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 4 at Miscella Real Estate in downtown Geneva.
"It has really picked up a community flair and people look forward to it," Zellmer said. "It started with my son and his friends and neighbors doing it in our front yard, and it has grown to something in which people will pick up a small pumpkin, but write a substantial check in memory of a loved one with diabetes who passed away."
A big jumper: Now, how cool was that? Joe Thalman, an 80-year-old resident of Elburn, celebrated his birthday earlier this month by sky diving. His jump out of the airplane at Chicagoland Sky-Diving Center in Hinckley fulfilled something he has always wanted to do. He was celebrating a bit early with this daredevil act, as his actual birthday is Oct. 7.