Alexander Butterfield facts for kids
Alexander Porter Butterfield (April 6, 1926 – March 9, 2026) was an important figure in American history. He was an Air Force officer, a government official, and a businessman. From 1969 to 1973, he worked closely with President Richard Nixon as his deputy assistant. Butterfield became widely known on July 13, 1973, during the Watergate investigation, when he revealed that President Nixon had a secret taping system in the White House. Later, from 1973 to 1975, Butterfield led the Federal Aviation Administration, which oversees air travel safety.
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Who Was Alexander Butterfield?
Alexander Butterfield was born in Pensacola, Florida, on April 6, 1926. His father was a Navy pilot. Alexander grew up in Coronado, California. He attended the University of California, Los Angeles before joining the United States Air Force in 1948.
Early Life and Military Service
Butterfield started his Air Force career as a fighter pilot instructor. He was later stationed in Munich, West Germany, where he was part of an acrobatic jet fighter team called the Skyblazers. He also commanded a fighter squadron in Okinawa, Japan.
Flying Missions and Awards
During the Vietnam War, Butterfield led a squadron of reconnaissance aircraft. He flew 98 combat missions. For his bravery and service, he received the Distinguished Flying Cross. He rose to the rank of Colonel. While in the military, he also earned degrees from the University of Maryland and George Washington University.
Working at the White House
Becoming a Presidential Aide
In 1968, Alexander Butterfield wanted a new challenge. He wrote to H. R. Haldeman, who was President Nixon's Chief of Staff, asking for a job. Butterfield was offered the role of deputy assistant to the president. He retired from the Air Force and began his new job in January 1969.
Daily Duties and Responsibilities
As deputy assistant, Butterfield was a key helper to Haldeman. He managed many daily tasks at the White House. He helped plan the president's activities and controlled which documents President Nixon saw. Butterfield also oversaw FBI background checks for potential employees. He had a deep understanding of how the White House operated. He also helped manage meetings, making sure people arrived on time.
The White House Taping System
In 1971, President Nixon asked for a special audio taping system to be installed. The president wanted to record conversations to create a more accurate historical record. Butterfield worked with the Secret Service to install hidden microphones. These microphones were placed in the Oval Office, the Cabinet Room, and on White House telephones. Only a few people knew about this secret system.
Leaving the White House
In March 1973, Butterfield was appointed to lead the Federal Aviation Administration. He then left his position at the White House.
Revealing the Tapes
How the Tapes Were Discovered
During the Watergate investigation in June 1973, a former White House lawyer, John Dean, suggested that conversations in the White House might have been recorded. Investigators for the United States Senate Watergate Committee began asking witnesses if they knew about any taping systems.
On July 13, 1973, Alexander Butterfield was interviewed by the Senate Watergate Committee staff. He was asked if there was any truth to the idea that the White House had taped conversations. Butterfield confirmed that a taping system existed in the Oval Office. He explained that he had decided to tell the truth if asked directly. Butterfield then described how the system was installed and how it worked. He stated that "Everything was taped... as long as the President was in attendance."
Public Testimony and Impact
The news of the taping system was very important. On July 16, Butterfield testified publicly before the Senate Watergate Committee. His testimony was broadcast live on television. This revelation changed the entire Watergate investigation. Within hours of his testimony, the taping system was removed from the White House.
After the White House
Leading the FAA
After leaving the White House, Butterfield became the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The FAA is responsible for the safety of air travel in the United States. He served in this role from 1973 to 1975. In early 1975, President Gerald Ford asked for the resignations of many officials from the previous administration, and Butterfield left his position.
Life After Government Service
After leaving government, Butterfield worked in the private sector. He worked for a flight service company and later for a financial company. He then started his own consulting firm. He retired in 1995.
Butterfield was one of the people who correctly guessed the identity of "Deep Throat", a secret source in the Watergate investigation, before it was publicly revealed in 2005. He also provided many records for a book about the Nixon White House in 2015.
In 2022, Butterfield appeared on a TV show to discuss his experiences. He also inspired Cassidy Hutchinson, a former aide in the Trump administration, to testify truthfully to the January 6 Committee. Butterfield believed Hutchinson would inspire other young people.
Personal Life
Alexander Butterfield married Charlotte Maguire in 1949, and they later divorced in 1985. He moved to La Jolla, California, in 1992. He returned to school and earned a master's degree in history from the University of California, San Diego. He was working on a Ph.D. in history.
Butterfield passed away on March 9, 2026, at his home in La Jolla, at the age of 99.
