James A. Butz

Spc. James A. Butz, age 21, of Porter, Indiana, died on September 28, 2011, in Helmand province, Afghanistan, of injuries suffered when insurgents attacked his unit using an improvised explosive device.

He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He was a combat medic.

James was a 2009 Chesterton High School graduate. High School officials describe him as a hard worker.

Light a candle for James.
Light his way to Heaven.

He joined the Army in 2009. He attended Airborne School at Fort Benning and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Sam Houston. He arrived to 1st Battalion in 2010 and had served with Headquarters and Headquarters Company since. This was his first deployment to Afghanistan.

His awards include the Purple Heart, the Army Commendation Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the NATO Medal, the Combat Action Badge, and the Parachutist Badge.

Military comrades said that James was a consummate paratrooper, who was dedicated to duty and to his fellow warriors. They also stated that he was quick to make friends and to tell jokes to raise spirits and keep morale high.

James is survived by many loving friends and relatives including his mother, Mary Butz, and his father, John Butz; and brothers Will and John Butz. 

Let us pray to God the Father, Jesus, all of the saints and all of the angels that James A. Butz is in heaven. Let us pray that he is at peace and is with God. Amen.