U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy applauded the U.S. House of Representatives’ passage of a bill on July 15 to rename the West Haven VA Medical Center in honor of U.S. Army Captain Paul “Bud” Bucha, a longtime Ridgefield resident and Medal of Honor recipient who died on July 31, 2024.
In August 2025, shortly after the first anniversary of Captain Bucha’s death, the Senate unanimously approved legislation introduced by Blumenthal and Murphy to name the facility after him. The House has now passed an identical bill led by Representative Rosa DeLauro. Captain Bucha received care at West Haven VAMC following his military service and at the end of his life.
“I am thrilled we are one step closer to renaming the West Haven VA Medical Center in honor of a true American hero — Captain Paul ‘Bud’ Bucha. Our bill, which I led, honors Bud’s bravery and service, and his tireless advocacy for fellow veterans. I am grateful for the strong show of support in the House, and now we must all work together to get this bill signed into law without delay,” Blumenthal said.
Murphy said, “From his service in Vietnam to his tenacious advocacy for veterans in Connecticut, Captain Bucha left an impact everywhere he went. He was second to none in courage, and renaming the West Haven VA Medical Center in his honor will serve as an enduring reminder and a call to action to mirror his commitment to protect others and support our veterans.”
Captain Bucha received the Medal of Honor in 1970 for heroic actions during a reconnaissance mission near Phuoc Vinh, Vietnam from March 16-19, 1968. Leading D Company under heavy enemy fire from about 1,500 soldiers, he directed defenses despite being wounded himself. He also coordinated medical evacuations under dangerous conditions using flashlights visible to enemy snipers.
After military service, Bucha served as President of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society from 1995-1999; advised President Obama on foreign policy during his campaign; served on Homes for Our Troops’ board; chaired an advisory committee at the Department of Labor; received PTSD treatment at West Haven VAMC; was treated there for Alzheimer’s disease; died there in July 2024; and donated his brain posthumously with assistance from West Haven VAMC.
The Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee—where Blumenthal serves as ranking member—oversees benefits programs nationwide supporting veterans’ health care access and transitions back into civilian life through collaboration with entities like the Department of Veterans Affairs, according to the official website.