Paul William Bucha

Infobox Military Person
name=Paul William Bucha
born= birth date and age|1943|8|1
placeofburial=


caption=Paul W. Bucha
nickname=
placeofbirth=Washington, D.C.
placeofdeath=
allegiance=United States of America
branch=United States Army
serviceyears=
rank= Captain
unit=Company D, 3d Battalion, 187th Infantry, 3d Brigade, 101st Airborne Division
commands=
battles=Vietnam
awards=Medal of Honor
relations=
laterwork=

Paul William Bucha (born August 1, 1943) is a highly decorated American Vietnam War veteran and recipient of the Medal of Honor. He is currently a foreign policy adviser to Barack Obama's 2008 presidential campaign.cite news
last =Nerl
first =Daryl
title =Obama has judgment to lead, advisers say
publisher =The Morning Call
date =2008-04-03
url =http://www.mcall.com/news/elections/local/all-a4_4foreign.6342144apr03,0,6660602.story
accessdate = 2008-04-06]

Biography

Paul Bucha was a two time All-American swimmer. After graduating from theUnited States Military Academy at West Point, he was commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Army.

In Phuoc Vinh, Vietnam, Captain Bucha of the 3rd battalion, 187th infantry, 3rd Brigade 101st Airborne Division led a recon patrol that encountered strong resistance. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions between March 16-19, 1968.

He later taught at West Point and became president of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society.cite news
last =Taylor
first =Michael
title =Tracking Down False Heroes; Medal of Honor recipients go after impostors
publisher =SF Chronicle
date =1999-05-31
url =http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/1999/05/31/MN106963.DTL
accessdate = 2008-08-02]

Medal of Honor citation

Rank and organization: Captain, U.S. Army, Company D, 3d Battalion. 187th Infantry, 3d Brigade, 101st Airborne Division. Place and date: Near Phuoc Vinh, Binh Duong Province, Republic of Vietnam, 16- 19 March 1968. Entered service at: U .S. Military Academy, West Point, N.Y. Born: 1 August 1943, Washington, D.C.

Citation:

: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 single-handedly 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 1 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 3 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.

ee also

*List of Medal of Honor recipients
*List of Medal of Honor recipients for the Vietnam War

Notes

References

* [http://www.pritzkermilitarylibrary.org/events/2006-03-16-paulBucha.jsp Pritzker Military Library profile]
* [http://www.pritzkermilitarylibrary.org/pdf/other/2006-03-16-paulBucha-citation.pdf MOH Citation]
* [http://www.mishalov.com/Bucha.html MOH citation followed by the full text of one of his speeches]
* [http://www.pritzkermilitarylibrary.org/events/2006-03-16-paulBucha.jsp Interview] at the Pritzker Military Library

Persondata
NAME= Bucha, Paul William
ALTERNATIVE NAMES=
SHORT DESCRIPTION= United States Army Medal of Honor recipient
DATE OF BIRTH=
PLACE OF BIRTH=
DATE OF DEATH=
PLACE OF DEATH=