Alexander Butterfield, Watergate whistleblower who exposed Nixon's tapes, dies at 99
Alexander Butterfield, the former White House aide who exposed President Richard Nixon's secret Oval Office recordings, has died at 99. His revelation during the Watergate scandal played a crucial role in Nixon's eventual resignation. Butterfield passed away after a long career in military service and government roles.
Born on April 6, 1926, in Pensacola, Florida, Butterfield first enlisted in the Navy during World War II. He later earned degrees from UCLA, the University of Maryland, and George Washington University. His military career spanned over two decades, including eight years in the US Air Force from 1952 to 1960, where he served in the United States and Germany before retiring as a colonel.
As deputy assistant to Nixon, Butterfield oversaw the installation of a voice-activated taping system in the Oval Office. In 1973, during Senate hearings, he confirmed the existence of these recordings. The tapes later revealed conversations that directly implicated Nixon in the Watergate cover-up, forcing his resignation in 1974.
After leaving the White House, Butterfield took charge of the Federal Aviation Administration. His career included multiple government and military positions, both before and after his involvement in the Watergate scandal.
Butterfield's testimony changed the course of US political history by uncovering critical evidence. His military background and later government roles marked a life of public service. He died at the age of 99, leaving behind a legacy tied to one of America's most defining political scandals.
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