News Release
| Release Number: | 99-074 |
| Dated: | 8/17/1999 |
| Contact: | Public Affairs Office, 503-808-4510 |
Portland, Ore. -- Col. Randall J. Butler has assumed command of the Portland District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. He replaced Col. Robert T. Slusar who was reassigned to Washington, D.C. to serve as the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations for the Chief of Engineers.
The Portland District is responsible for the Corps' water resource activities in western Oregon and southwestern Washington and has one of the Corps' most comprehensive and diversified civil works programs. Its emphasis is on environmental management and restoration, fish and wildlife protection and enhancement, hydroelectric power, navigation, flood damage reduction, and operation of the Corps' center of expertise for hydropower and pump station engineering.
Butler was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Corps of Engineers in June 1976, as a Distinguished Military graduate. He has held numerous positions including platoon leader, battalion construction officer, company executive officer and battalion logistics staff officer for the 249th Engineer Battalion in Karlsruhe, Germany. He served as the battalion adjutant before taking command of Bravo Company for the 548th Engineer Battalion in Fort Bragg, N. C. He spent three years as an assistant resident engineer at the Fort Irwin Resident Office, Los Angeles District, Corps of Engineers.
In 1989, Butler was assigned to the 4th Army Headquarters, Fort Sheridan, Ill., as the engineer operations and training officer. In 1991, he became the executive officer for the 39th Engineer Battalion, and spent two years as the director of public works, Fort Devens, Mass. In 1994, he commanded the 94th Engineer Combat Battalion in Vilseck, Germany. In 1996, he was reassigned to the United States Army Europe and 7th Army Headquarters in Heidelberg, Germany, where he was first chief of the Military Engineering and Topography Office, and later chief of the Construction Programs Division, for the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, Engineer.
Butler earned a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from San Jose State University, and a master's degree in civil engineering from Purdue University. He also is a graduate of the Engineer Officer's Basic Course, Advanced Course, Command and General Staff College and the Army War College. Butler's awards include the Meritorious Service Medal with five oak leaf clusters, the Army Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster, the Army Achievement Medal, Army Expeditionary Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, NATO Medal and Parachute Badge.
Butler is a registered Professional Engineer in Virginia. He is a member of the Society of American Military Engineers, American Public Works Association, Engineer Regimental Association, Association of the United States Army and Army War College Alumni Association. He enjoys bowling, golf and family activities.