Rakkasan Association Editor's Note: This press release was written by the Congressional Medal of Honor Society. July 31, 2024
MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. — The Congressional Medal of Honor Society regretfully announces that Paul W. “Bud” Bucha, Medal of Honor Recipient, passed away Wednesday, July 31, 2024, at the age of 80 in West Haven, Connecticut.
Capt. Bucha distinguished himself by his extraordinary leadership March 16-18, 1968, near Phuoc Vinh, Binh Duong Province, Vietnam. When his reconnaissance mission encountered an overwhelming enemy attack, Bucha led from the front, destroying an enemy bunker solo while under heavy fire. He also directed artillery fire and moved throughout the position, distributing ammunition, providing encouragement and ensuring the integrity of the defense. During the night, under view of enemy snipers, he led the evacuation of the wounded using a flashlight.
Bucha was presented the Medal of Honor by President Richard M. Nixon on May 14, 1970, in a ceremony at the White House in Washington, D.C. In 2007, he said, “The medal that I wear, I wear on behalf of others, not myself.”
Bucha was born in Washington, D.C., on August 1, 1943, to an Army officer father. He attended Ladue Horton Watkins High School (Ladue, Missouri) where he was designated as an All-American swimmer. Selected for the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York, he graduated 18th in his class in 1965. While there, Bucha was on the swim and diving team and again achieved All-American status twice as part of the 400 free relay. He was also captain of the team his senior year, 1964-1965. He then earned a Master of Business Administration from Stanford University before beginning his Army service.
“Paul Bucha is an American hero whose service to our country inspired many, including those who went on themselves to make the selfless decision to enlist in the military,” Conneticut Governor Ned Lamont said. “Following his military service, he went on to work with several organizations that provide services to veterans and the military community. Paul Bucha was a courageous and dedicated champion of our nation and a defender of freedom, and he represents some of the very best of Connecticut. On behalf of the State of Connecticut, I express my condolences to his wife Cynthia and the entire Bucha family, and I urge the residents of our state to reflect on those who bravely served in the Vietnam War.”
Leaving the Army in 1972, he became prominent in business ventures, veterans support organizations and politics. He served on the board of directors for the Congressional Medal of Honor Society as president from 1995 to 1999 and immediate past president from 1999 to 2001. Bucha unsuccessfully ran for Congress in 1993, but maintained a strong interest in politics and served a foreign policy advisor for President Barack Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign.
He is survived by his wife, Cynthia and four children. Burial arrangements are pending.
There are 60 Medal of Honor Recipients alive today.
Captain Bucha's Citation:
Conflict/Era: Vietnam War
Unit/Command: Company D, 3d Battalion, 187th Infantry, 3d Brigade, 101st Airborne Division
Military Service Branch: U.S. Army
Medal of Honor Action Date: March 16 - 19, 1968
Medal of Honor Action Place: near Phuoc Vinh, Binh Duong Province, Republic of Vietnam
Awarded Posthumously: No
Presentation Date & Details: May 14, 1970, The White House, presented by Pres. Richard M. Nixon
Born: August 1, 1943, Washington, DC, United States
Died: July 31, 2024, CT, US
Location of Medal: International Swimming Hall of Fame, Fort Lauderdale, FL
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Capt. Bucha distinguished himself while serving as commanding officer, Company D, on a reconnaissance-in-force mission against enemy forces near Phuoc Vinh. The company was inserted by helicopter into the suspected enemy stronghold to locate and destroy the enemy. During this period Capt. Bucha aggressively and courageously led his men in the destruction of enemy fortifications and base areas and eliminated scattered resistance impeding the advance of the company. On 18 March while advancing to contact, the lead elements of the company became engaged by the heavy automatic-weapon, heavy machine-gun, rocket-propelled-grenade, claymore-mine and small-arms fire of an estimated battalion-size force. Capt. Bucha, with complete disregard for his safety, moved to the threatened area to direct the defense and ordered reinforcements to the aid of the lead element. Seeing that his men were pinned down by heavy machine-gun fire from a concealed bunker located some 40 meters to the front of the positions, Capt. Bucha crawled through the hail of fire to singlehandedly destroy the bunker with grenades. During this heroic action Capt. Bucha received a painful shrapnel wound. Returning to the perimeter, he observed that his unit could not hold its positions and repel the human wave assaults launched by the determined enemy. Capt. Bucha ordered the withdrawal of the unit elements and covered the withdrawal to positions of a company perimeter from which he could direct fire upon the charging enemy. When one friendly element retrieving casualties was ambushed and cut off from the perimeter, Capt. Bucha ordered them to feign death and he directed artillery fire around them. During the night Capt. Bucha moved throughout the position, distributing ammunition, providing encouragement, and insuring the integrity of the defense. He directed artillery, helicopter-gunship and Air Force-gunship fire on the enemy strong points and attacking forces, marking the positions with smoke grenades. Using flashlights in complete view of enemy snipers, he directed the medical evacuation of three air-ambulance loads of seriously wounded personnel and the helicopter supply of his company. At daybreak Capt. Bucha led a rescue party to recover the dead and wounded members of the ambushed element. During the period of intensive combat, Capt. Bucha, by his extraordinary heroism, inspirational example, outstanding leadership, and professional competence, led his company in the decimation of a superior enemy force which left 156 dead on the battlefield. His bravery and gallantry at the risk of his life are in the highest traditions of the military service. Capt. Bucha has reflected great credit on himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.
Learn more about the Medal of Honor and the Congressional Medal of Honor Society’s initiatives at cmohs.org.
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