Joseph Orville Butcher (September 16, 1912 – February 15, 1988) was decorated officer of the United States Marine Corps who reached the rank of major general.

He completed the school in April 1937 and was attached to the Marine detachment aboard the battleship USS Arkansas which participated in the midshipmen training cruises in the Western Atlantic.

He was promoted to the rank of first lieutenant in July 1939 and took part in the temporary duty with the Marine Guard Detachment at Little White House in Warm Springs, Georgia – the personal retreat of President Franklin D.

[1] Butcher was transferred to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina in October 1942 and appointed adjutant and executive officer of Quartermaster School, Fleet Marine Force Training Center.

[1] He was then appointed executive officer, Division of Public Information at Headquarters Marine Corps and served under Brigadier General William E. Riley until August 1947, when he was ordered for the instruction at Industrial College of the Armed Forces.

Butcher graduated in June 1948 and served as supply officer and assistant head, Material Section, Division of Aviation at Headquarters Marine Corps.

He returned to the United States in May 1955 and following a brief leave at home, he assumed duty as director, Material Division within Marine Corps Supply Center, Barstow, California.

[1] In August 1957, Butcher served as chief of staff of the center under Brigadier General Ralph B. DeWitt until he was ordered to Camp Lejeune in September 1958 as commanding officer, Marine Corps Supply Schools.

In this capacity, Butcher was co-responsible for the support of development, production, acquisition, and sustainment of general supply, Mortuary Affairs, subsistences, petroleum and water, material and distribution management during peace and war to provide combat power to the U.S. Marine Corps units.

[1] In January 1964, Butcher assumed command of Marine Corps Supply Activity in Philadelphia and served in this capacity until his promotion to the rank of major general on February 28, 1966.

He was then ordered back to Korea and participated in the peace negotiations with Chinese and North Koreans at Panmunjom as senior member, Military Armistice Commission.