OCS, Portsea - Graduating Class of June 1973

Colonel D.M. Butler, DSO

Colonel D.M. Butler, DSO was born in Perth, Western Australia and educated at Wesley College and the Royal Military College, Duntroon. He graduated into the Royal Australian Infantry Corps in 1948 and served with Battalions of the Royal Australian Regiment in Japan and Korea, was ADC to the C-in-C BCOF and later PA to the GOC 1st Commonwealth Division.

On return to Australia he served in staff and regimental appointments and as an instructor at the Officer Cadet School Portsea. In 1958, Colonel Butler attended the Staff College, Camberley, UK, and later served with the Pacific Islands Regiment in Papua New Guinea. He commanded the 6th Battalion The Royal Australian Regiment/New Zealand (ANZAC) in South Vietnam.

Twice wounded in action, Colonel Butler has been awarded the Distinguished Service Order and the United,States of America Silver Star.

He was appointed the Commandant of the Officer Cadet School in January 1972.