Captain Paul Bucha - 1968 Vietnam Medal of Honor Hero

Bucha was sent to Vietnam in 1967 as a captain and commander of Company D, 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne. On March 16, 1968, he and his company of 89 men were dropped by helicopter southwest of Phuoc Vinh in Binh Duong Province. The area was believed to be a North Vietnamese stronghold and Bucha's unit was tasked with seeking out and engaging the enemy forces. For two days Company D encountered light resistance as it cleared North Vietnamese positions. On the afternoon of March 18, the company's lead group of about twelve men stumbled upon a full North Vietnamese Army battalion that had stopped to camp for the night. The lead element came under heavy fire and was pinned down. Bucha crawled towards them and destroyed an NVA bunker. He returned to the company perimeter and ordered a withdrawal to a more defensible position. Throughout the night he encouraged his men, distributed ammunition, and directed artillery and helicopter gunship fire. At one point he stood exposed and used flashlights to direct helicopters which were evacuating the wounded and bringing in supplies. The next morning, as the NVA forces withdrew, he led a party to rescue those soldiers who had been cut off from the rest of the company. Once his tour in Vietnam ended in April 1970, Bucha returned to the United States and taught an accounting class at West Point. It was during this time that he learned he would be awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions in the battle near Phuoc Vinh. The medal was presented to him on May 14, 1970, by President Richard Nixon. 🇺🇸👕🎖️** Find All Of Our Exclusive Patriotic & History-Oriented Merchandise Here - Every Sale Supports The Channel And Keeps Us "On The Air": https://teespring.com/stores/lionhear... Even more Historically Nerdy Products can be found here! https://lionheartfilmworks.etsy.com ☕ If you appreciate our content and want to support us further, direct donations are always welcome at: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/lionheart PLEASE SUBSCRIBE, CLICK THE 'BELL' ICON FOR ALERTS ON NEW CONTENT - AND SHARE THIS VIDEO TO HELP US GROW AND KEEP HISTORY HAPPENING! Some other videos you might like on our Channel: 400 Evolution of the United States Army Uniform:    • Evolution of the United States Army Uniform   Medal of Honor Moment - Sergeant York:    • Sergeant Alvin York - Oct. 8th 1918 Medal ...   The Story of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier:    • The Story of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier   ✈️🚁⭐ ** ONE WAY YOU CAN SUPPORT THIS CHANNEL! If you love military history, and to collect and model the great warbirds of the past - please visit our friends at Air Models in the UK - Each purchase really helps this channel out: http://airmodels.net/?aff=60 ** #lionheartfilmworks #militaryhistory #medalofhonor