Keith A. Butler
Keith Allen Butler was described by all who knew him, or knew of him, as a patriot, a hero, and an inspiration. He was someone who—at the drop of the hat and without any notes—could give a sermon citing profound Bible verses or a detailed lecture on American history. He dedicated the majority of his life to serving our country and faced danger with unwavering courage. Throughout his military and CIA career, he traversed the globe carrying out missions in conflict zones, including Afghanistan, where he ultimately gave his life in service to his country.
Early Years
Keith was born on August 3, 1957 in Portales, New Mexico to Jack and Margaret Butler and graduated from Artesia High School. His father, Jack, was not only a dedicated teacher and school administrator, but also a U.S. Navy veteran who served honorably during the Korean War.
Life in the Military and CIA
Keith enlisted in the United States Marine Corps (USMC) when he was 18 years old. After completing his service with the USMC, Keith enlisted in the United States Army and became a member of the elite Special Forces, commonly known as the Green Berets. Over the years, while serving as an accomplished combat medic and elite warrior, he completed the Army’s physician assistant program and earned both a bachelor’s degree from the University of Nebraska and a master’s degree from the University of Oklahoma.
After dedicating more than 25 years to active military service, Keith retired from the Army with the rank of Major. However, his commitment to serving his country was far from over. Keith became a contractor with CIA, initially working as a medical provider before transitioning to specialize in paramilitary operations.
His responsibilities at CIA were no less perilous than those as a Green Beret. Keith was in Afghanistan on December 30, 2009 when the Khowst attack claimed the lives of seven CIA officers. Shortly thereafter, he wrote a note honoring those who were lost and reflecting on the strength needed to move forward:
“Quoting Thomas Paine, ‘Those who want to reap the benefits of this great nation must bear the fatigue of supporting it.’ You have stared the elephant in the mouth and lived to tell of it. Make your life worthy of the honor.”
During his time with the Marines, Army, and CIA, Keith—a fighter and a healer—deployed nearly 50 times around the world.
A Modern Renaissance Man
Keith’s colleagues nicknamed him “Doc” and found him to be unique, self-confident, ethical, and a dedicated member of the team. He was a man of moral courage and strong conviction. The Afghan soldiers whom he advised revered his compassion and genuine care for every member of the team.
When off-duty, Keith would recharge by exercising or by reading and relaxing in the sun. He was always concerned about staying in shape and maintaining a good tan. Thursday was bar night for Keith who would sit at the recreational facility (always on the same stool) and sip Glenfiddich, his favorite drink.
Keith remains a difficult man to describe—not because he lacked defining characteristics, but because he had too many of them to count. One thing for sure is that he was a devoted motivator.
In 2012, on the Sunday before the Fourth of July, he stood before his hometown church. Up on stage, Keith implored the congregation to heed the wisdom of our forefathers and to not take for granted America’s hard-earned freedoms.
With all of his talents and facets, Keith was a deep source of leadership, wisdom, and expertise for his colleagues. He was the person you wanted by your side in battle, the one you trusted to tend your wounds, and the friend you were eager to share a drink with once the fight was over.
His Final Mission
In early 2014, while heading back to Afghanistan, Keith sensed it was time to slow down. He told his teammates that this would be his last tour before retirement.
On May 9, 2014, Keith was conducting a CIA counterterrorism operation. As an adviser to the Counterterrorism Pursuit Team (CTPT), Keith was leading his team in Afghanistan on a mission to capture a Taliban fighter. Along with a group of local Afghan soldiers, the CTPT surrounded the compound of the enemy targeted for capture. As the assault team moved to enter the compound, they met a well-organized barrage of gunfire that pinned three Afghan team members down inside.
True to form, Keith pushed forward to lead their rescue. Suddenly, with the crack of an insurgent’s gun from a small window in the back of the compound, Keith slumped to the ground, mortally wounded. The remaining CTPT soldiers continued to secure the compound and recover the three trapped Afghan soldiers who were still under intense enemy fire. They were able to successfully move off the compound and back to Kabul Station where Keith was pronounced dead by the medical staff. He was 56 years old.
Keith not only put himself in harm’s way to stop a Taliban terrorist attack, but he also made the ultimate sacrifice to save the lives of three Afghan soldiers. His final act of heroism was emblematic of his life of courage and selflessness.
Keith, whose father preceded him in death the year before, is survived by his mother, brother, sister, his three sons, and their families. He was laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery. His name was released to the public and officially recognized in the CIA’s Book of Honor in 2025.