(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont, Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz, and Veterans Affairs Commissioner Ron Welch today are mourning the passing of retired United States Army Captain Paul W. Bucha, a longtime resident of Ridgefield, Connecticut, who received the Medal of Honor in 1970 for his heroic service while on active duty during the Vietnam War.
Until his passing early this morning at the age of 80, Captain Bucha was the only living recipient of this honor from Connecticut. The medal is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States Armed Forces to members of the service who have distinguished themselves for bravery above and beyond the call of duty while engaged in military action and at the risk of their own life. It was presented to him by President Richard Nixon.
The honor was awarded to Captain Bucha for actions he took between March 16 and March 19, 1968, as commanding officer, Company D, on a reconnaissance-in-force mission against enemy forces near Phuoc Vinh in the Binh Duong province of Vietnam. During this period, Captain Bucha aggressively and courageously led his 89 men against an enemy force of about 1,500, taking strategic actions that resulted in the destruction of enemy fortifications and base areas and eliminated scattered resistance impeding the advance of the company. He received a painful shrapnel wound while taking actions that exposed himself to enemy gunfire.
“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,” Governor 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.”
“Our state mourns the loss of Paul Bucha, a patriot and Medal of Honor recipient who served with honor and distinction during the Vietnam War,” Lt. Governor Bysiewicz said. “Captain Bucha was awarded for pushing back Vietnamese forces while his company was under heavy fire. He risked his life to rescue soldiers who had been cut off from their unit and successfully moved them to a more defensible position. I had the privilege of meeting Mr. Bucha in Ridgefield a number of years ago. Not only was he a man of honor and distinction, but a gentleman who spent his life in service to his community. Mr. Bucha continued his public service by helping veterans by serving on a dozen military boards and organizations including the Board of Veterans Advantage and the Medal of Honor Society. Mr. Bucha was a treasure of our state and leaves a legacy of service to our country. My deepest condolences to the Bucha family.”
“We are saddened to learn of the passing of Captain Paul W. Bucha of Ridgefield,” Commissioner Welch said. “Paul was a recipient of our nation’s highest award for valor, the Medal of Honor, during his service in Vietnam. Following his military service, Paul continued to lead with distinction in both the public and private sectors. We offer our deepest condolences on the passing of a true American hero to Cynthia and the entire Bucha family.”
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