Alexander Butterfield facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Alexander Butterfield
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Butterfield in 1969
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| 5th Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration | |
| In office March 14, 1973 – March 31, 1975 |
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| President | Richard Nixon Gerald Ford |
| Preceded by | John H. Shaffer |
| Succeeded by | John L. McLucas |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Alexander Porter Butterfield
April 6, 1926 Pensacola, Florida, U.S. |
| Education | University of Maryland, College Park (BS) George Washington University (MS) University of California, San Diego (MA) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Air Force |
| Years of service | 1948–1969 |
| Rank | Colonel |
| Battles/wars | Vietnam War |
| Awards | Distinguished Flying Cross |
Alexander Porter Butterfield (born April 6, 1926) is a retired United States Air Force officer, a public official, and a businessman. He is best known for revealing the existence of the White House taping system on July 13, 1973. This happened during the Watergate investigation.
Before that, he worked as a top assistant to President Richard Nixon from 1969 to 1973. Later, from 1973 to 1975, he led the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Contents
Early Life and Air Force Career
Alexander Butterfield was born on April 6, 1926, in Pensacola, Florida. His father was a United States Navy pilot. Alexander grew up in Coronado, California.
He started college at the University of California, Los Angeles. There, he became friends with H. R. Haldeman and John Ehrlichman. In 1948, he left college to join the United States Air Force.
Military Service and Achievements
Butterfield first served as a fighter pilot instructor in Las Vegas. Later, he moved to West Germany in 1951. He was part of the Skyblazers jet fighter acrobatic team. He also commanded a fighter squadron in Japan.
During the Vietnam War, Butterfield led a squadron of reconnaissance aircraft. These planes flew low to gather information. He flew 98 combat missions. For his bravery, he received the Distinguished Flying Cross.
He also worked at the White House for a time in 1965 and 1966. This gave him experience in government. He reached the rank of colonel. Before retiring from the Air Force, he worked in Australia.
Education During Service
While in the military, Butterfield continued his education. He earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Maryland, College Park in 1956. He also received a master's degree from George Washington University in 1967.
White House Assistant
In late 1968, Butterfield wanted a new challenge. He wrote to H. R. Haldeman, who was becoming President Nixon's chief of staff. Butterfield asked for a job at the White House.
Becoming Deputy Assistant
Haldeman offered Butterfield the role of deputy assistant to the president. Butterfield retired from the Air Force a few days later. His new appointment was announced on January 23, 1969.
His Role in the White House
As deputy assistant, Butterfield was Haldeman's main helper. He met with President Nixon and Haldeman every day. They planned the next day's activities.
Butterfield managed what paperwork Nixon saw. He also oversaw all FBI checks requested by the White House. These included routine background checks for new employees.
He also managed people who met with Nixon. He made sure they arrived on time and did not stay too long. Butterfield had a deep understanding of how Nixon worked. He knew a lot about the daily operations of the White House.
Installing the Taping System
Butterfield was also in charge of installing a secret taping system. President Nixon wanted this system in the White House. On February 10, 1971, Nixon asked for a voice-activated audio taping system. He said it was to create a more accurate record of events.
Butterfield worked with the Secret Service to install hidden microphones. These were placed in Nixon's desk in the Oval Office. They were also in lamps and the cabinet room. The system also taped all phone calls in certain rooms. Only a few people knew about this secret system.
Leaving the White House
In March 1973, Butterfield was chosen to lead the Federal Aviation Administration. He then resigned from his White House position.
Revelation of the Taping System
How the Tapes Were Discovered
In June 1973, John Dean testified about the Watergate cover-up. He said he thought White House conversations might have been taped. Investigators for the United States Senate Watergate Committee started asking witnesses about any taping systems.
A White House lawyer gave the committee a document. It had exact quotes from Nixon's meetings with Dean. This made investigators suspect a taping system existed.
Butterfield's Testimony
On July 13, 1973, Butterfield was questioned by Senate Watergate Committee staff. He was asked if the quotes came from notes. Butterfield said no, they were too detailed. He also said Nixon did not keep notes of private meetings.
Then, an investigator asked if there was any truth to John Dean's idea about tapes. Butterfield replied, "I was wondering if someone would ask that. There is tape in the Oval Office."
Butterfield then explained how the system worked. He said, "Everything was taped... as long as the President was in attendance." He had decided to tell the truth if asked directly.
This revelation was extremely important. It changed the entire Watergate investigation. Butterfield's public testimony on July 16, 1973, was broadcast live on television. It lasted only 30 minutes but shocked the nation.
Soon after Butterfield's testimony, the taping system was removed.
Post-Watergate Career
Alexander Butterfield was not involved in the Watergate cover-up. He was never charged with any crime.
Federal Aviation Administration
By late 1972, Butterfield wanted a new challenge. President Nixon offered him the role of Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
There was a rule that the FAA Administrator had to be a civilian. Butterfield was a retired military officer. So, he resigned from the Air Force Reserves to take the job. He was confirmed on March 12, 1973. He left the White House on March 14.
In early 1975, President Gerald Ford asked for the resignations of many Nixon administration officials. Butterfield resigned on March 25, 1975, and left the government on March 31, 1975.
Later Life and Work
After leaving government, Butterfield worked in the private sector. He worked for a flight service company in San Francisco, California. Later, he worked for a financial company in Los Angeles. He then started his own consulting firm. He retired in 1995.
Butterfield was a major source for Bob Woodward's 2015 book The Last of the President's Men. He kept many important records from his time at the White House.
In 2022, Butterfield appeared on the MSNBC show The Last Word. He also inspired Cassidy Hutchinson, a former aide in the Trump administration. She said his example helped her decide to testify fully to the January 6 Committee.
Personal Life
Alexander Butterfield married Charlotte Maguire in 1949. They divorced in 1985.
In 1992, Butterfield moved to La Jolla, California. He became a close friend of Audrey Geisel, the widow of Theodor Geisel. He went back to school and earned a master's degree in history. As of 2015, he was working on a Ph.D. in history. He focused on the president's power to pardon. As of 2016, he was still active on several company boards.
Images for kids
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This is a tape recorder from President Nixon's Oval Office.
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Left to right: Fred Thompson, Senator Howard Baker, and Senator Sam Ervin during the Senate Watergate Committee hearings.
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Alexander Butterfield at the Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library in 2016.
