West Haven VA Medical Center Renamed to Honor Medal of Honor Recipient Paul W. 'Bud' Bucha

This bill, officially titled the Captain Paul W. 'Bud' Bucha VA Medical Center Act of 2025, is purely administrative and honorific. Its main purpose is straightforward: it renames the Department of Veterans Affairs medical center in West Haven, Connecticut, to the Captain Paul W. 'Bud' Bucha Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center. This change takes effect the day the law is signed, and every official government record, map, or regulation must be updated to reflect the new name (SEC. 3).

The Name Behind the Center

While this is a simple renaming, the Congressional findings section dedicates significant space to explaining exactly who Captain Bucha was, and it’s a compelling read. Born in 1943, he was a West Point graduate, Ranger, and Airborne-qualified officer who served with the 101st Airborne Division in Vietnam. His Medal of Honor action in March 1968 near Phuoc Vinh involved single-handedly destroying an enemy machine-gun bunker after being wounded, then masterfully commanding his small company to fight off a force of 1,500 enemy troops, saving his men (SEC. 2).

More Than Just a Hero

What makes this renaming particularly relevant to the VA is Bucha’s post-military life. After resigning his commission in 1972, he became a passionate advocate for veterans, particularly those struggling with mental health. He pushed to use the term “post-traumatic stress” without the word “disorder” to help reduce the stigma around combat experiences. In a powerful connection to the facility being renamed, the bill notes that he received care for post-traumatic stress and neurological issues at the very VA medical center in West Haven where he was treated with "compassionate care" before his death in 2024 (SEC. 2).

Real-World Impact: Administrative and Symbolic

For veterans and staff at the West Haven facility, the day-to-day operations won't change, but the signage and official letterheads will. The impact is entirely symbolic: ensuring that a facility dedicated to veterans’ care is permanently linked to an American hero who not only served with distinction but also dedicated his life to improving the care system. For the busy people who rely on this facility, the only practical change is remembering the new, longer name. The bill ensures that all official references to the facility—from digital maps to regulatory documents—will be consistently updated, avoiding confusion down the line (SEC. 3).