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Paul Bucha
Colonel Paul Allen Bucha of Hinsdale, Illinoi was a 30-year Army veteran of Hinsdale, Illinois. He passed away at the age of 73. During World War II, Colonel Bucha served on General Douglas MacArthur's staff in the Philippines and on the planning commission for the 1944 invasion of Normandy, France. He was commandant of Army publication centers when he retired. After retirement, he was professor of graduate studies at the University of North Dakota and national executive secretary for the Land Improvement Contractors Association.
He graduated from 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. As the captain of the swim team for two years, he was 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. Bucha’s distinguished military career has been recognized with, among others: the National Defense Service Medal. He received a 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.
