Medal of Honor Recipient Paul W. Bucha Interview (#1)

In June 1967, a 23 year old west point graduate with an MBA from Stanford University, arrived at Fort Campbell Kentucky with orders to select and train a company for service in Vietnam. unlike other commanders who meticulously screened their applicants, Paul Bucha chose the toughest cases to be part of his team – many, in fact, who had flunked infantry training. How his rigorous top-down leadership style brought the eighty nine men in his command together, and, what happened to them during that three-day period in March 1968, is the subject of the discussion.

The son of an Army Colonel, born August 1st, 1943, Paul Bucha and his three sisters lived in Germany, Japan and many U.S. cities. He graduated from Horton Watkins High School in La Due, Missouri, received an appointment to West Point where he excelled in the corps of cadets, serving as regimental commander, the number two cadet, finishing academically near the top of his class… and, as the captain of the swim team for two years, a two time all-american swimmer. He was selected for graduate studies at Stanford where he earned an MBA in 1967 and then on to Fort Campbell and Vietnam. Mr. Bucha’s distinguished military career has been recognized with, among others: the National Defense Service Medal… Purple Heart… the Army Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster… The Air Medal… Bronze Star Medal with V Device with Oakleaf Cluster… and, the nation’s highest military award, the Medal of Honor.

Paul Bucha’s extraordinary story continues after resiging his commision in 1972, when he embarked on a highly successful business and entrepenurial career in international finance, real estate and marketing worldwide. Among his many professional and veteran affiliations, Paul Bucha has served as President of the Congressional Medal of Honor.

His Citation Reads:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. CPT 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 CPT 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. CPT 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, CPT Bucha crawled through the hail of fire to single-handedly destroy the bunker with grenades. During this heroic action CPT 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. CPT 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, CPT Bucha ordered them to feign death and he directed artillery fire around them. During the night CPT 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 CPT Bucha led a rescue party to recover the dead and wounded members of the ambushed element. During the period of intensive combat, CPT 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, CPT Bucha has reflected great credit on himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.