By Megan Lemly
Navy Office of Community Outreach
SAN DIEGO — Lt. Zachary Butler, a native of Fairport Harbor, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 35.
Butler graduated from Fairport Harding High School in 2011. Additionally, Butler earned a bachelor’s degree in public administration from Miami University in 2015.
The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Fairport Harbor.
“Growing up in a small town, I had many opportunities to participate in a multitude of extracurricular activities,” Butler said. “Participating in those extracurricular activities equipped me with a good understanding of how to work with groups and the importance of treating everyone with dignity and respect. We all come from different backgrounds and have different interests but appreciating and embracing those qualities allows us to succeed as a team.”
Butler joined the Navy seven years ago. Today, Butler serves as a pilot.
“I joined the Navy because I wanted to broaden my life experience, see the world and continue my service to my country and community,” Butler said.
Members of HSM-35 fly and maintain the MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter, the Navy’s most advanced rotary wing maritime strike platform. The Navy MH-60R is able to perform many different missions. Some of the most common operations include strikes on maritime targets, submarine hunting and attack, electronic warfare, search and rescue, medical evacuations and supply support.
The U.S. Navy is celebrating its 250th birthday this year.
According to Navy officials, “America is a maritime nation and for 250 years, America’s Warfighting Navy has sailed the globe in defense of freedom.”
With 90% of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fiber optic cables, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to recruiting and retaining talented people from across the rich fabric of America.
Butler has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.
“The accomplishment I am most proud of in my career is earning my ‘Wings of Gold’,” Butler said. “I am also proud of getting assigned to HSM 35 because it has allowed me to go on deployments throughout the world. I have also been fortunate enough to meet great people from varying levels of experience and backgrounds.”
Butler serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.
“Naval service to me means the opportunity to serve my country and defend the Constitution while maintaining freedom of the seas,” Butler said. “Being a service member in the Navy is like being a member of any other team. We are at our best when we work together as a team, each player executing their role to accomplish the mission.”
Butler is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
“I want to thank my family, colleagues who became friends and the Fairport Harbor Exempted Village School District for setting a great foundation and enabling me to be successful in my Navy career,” Butler added.
