Erich Büttner was a former German Luftwaffe fighter ace during World War II. He is credited with eight aerial victories while flying the Messerschmitt Me-262 jet fighter becoming one of the first jet aces in aviation history. On 8 November 1944 Büttner was the designated wingman of Leutnant Franz Schall, but a blown tire during taxiing prevented him from taking off. Major Walter Nowotny was killed in action on this mission. Büttner was killed in action on 20 March 1945.