Captain Paul W. ``bud'' Bucha Va Medical Center
Floor Speech
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4647 to name the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in West Haven, Connecticut, the ``Captain Paul W. `Bud' Bucha VA Medical Center.''
I thank my colleagues from Connecticut Senator Blumenthal and Representative DeLauro for their leadership to honor Captain Bucha's legacy.
Captain Bucha's dedication to his country exemplifies service. As a young man, he turned down multiple athletic and academic scholarships, choosing, instead, to enroll in the United States Military Academy at West Point, where he was a two-time All-American and captain of the swim team. He graduated in the top 5 percent of his class and number two in the Order of Military Merit.
In 1967, Captain Bucha deployed to Vietnam as part of Operation Eagle Thrust. As commander of Company D, Third Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, he oversaw a motley crew that he lovingly referred to as ``clerks and jerks.'' They went on to become one of the most decorated units by war's end.
As part of the Tet Offensive, in March 1968, Captain Bucha and his men were dropped by helicopter to repel attacks by the North Vietnamese and Viet Cong. They found themselves outnumbered by 1,500 enemy troops, and Captain Bucha crawled 40 yards through a hail of gunfire and singlehandedly destroyed a machine-gun bunker with grenades.
He then spearheaded an overnight offensive, spreading his men out to throw grenades to convince the enemy that they were the ones who were outnumbered.
He was also instrumental in enabling the medical evacuation of three air ambulance loads of his personnel.
For these heroic efforts, Captain Bucha was awarded the Medal of Honor in 1970. He considered turning it down, feeling undeserving. Ultimately, he accepted, saying that the medal belongs to his men.
After his service, Captain Bucha taught at West Point to help shape the next generation of servicemembers. He also worked with several veterans organizations to advocate for mental health support, job training, and housing for veterans.
Captain Bucha's connection to the West Haven VA Medical Center is deeply personal. He battled post-traumatic stress disorder for 42 years before courageously seeking help at West Haven, where he received compassionate and skilled care in the final years of his life. He passed away at the medical center in 2024 from complications of Alzheimer's disease.
I understand that our colleagues in the Senate passed the companion to this bill in their Chamber last August and have been waiting for the House to take it up for almost a year. I am disappointed that we are not considering the already-passed Senate bill today. This House should have passed that Senate bill long ago.
A well-deserving veteran such as Captain Bucha should have been honored as swiftly as possible. I am concerned that by not taking up the Senate version of this bill today, it will only further delay this bill from getting to the President's desk for signature. Captain Bucha's friends and loved ones should not have to wait so long to see his legacy honored.
Nevertheless, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I hope that it will become law without delay. I can think of no better way to express gratitude for Captain Bucha's lifelong commitment to service of his community and his country than to name this VA medical center in his honor. I urge all Members to support this legislation.
DeLauro), the ranking member of the House Appropriations Committee and the author of this legislation.
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Mr. CONAWAY. Mr. Speaker, I support H.R. 4647 to honor this very deserving veteran.
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