U.S. Congressman Michael McCaul (R-Texas) held a ceremony in Bastrop, Texas, to honor U.S. Army veteran Sergeant Major Billy D. Waugh by dedicating the local post office in his name. The event took place at the United States Postal Service facility located at 1106 Main Street, now officially known as the “Sergeant Major Billy D. Waugh Post Office.” The dedication was conducted in collaboration with Sergeant Waugh’s family and the United States Postal Service.
“A member of the Greatest Generation, Sergeant Major Billy D. Waugh was a true American hero who dedicated himself to a life of courage, patriotism, and self-sacrifice,” stated Rep. McCaul during the ceremony. He highlighted Waugh’s extensive service record which included roles in the Special Forces where he earned eight Purple Hearts, work with the Central Intelligence Agency, and even time with the United States Postal Service. “Throughout his impressive career, he never lost his sense of duty, his patriotism, or his enduring love of freedom,” McCaul added.
The initiative to rename the post office followed legislation introduced by Rep. McCaul during the 118th Congress that passed unanimously last year.
Sergeant Major Billy D. Waugh was born in December 1929 and grew up in Bastrop, Texas. His military career spanned from 1948 to 1972 as an Army paratrooper and Special Forces soldier with seven years spent in combat during both the Korean and Vietnam wars. Notably, he participated in the first high-altitude, low-opening (HALO) combat parachute assault.
Waugh’s commendable service earned him numerous awards including eight Purple Hearts for combat injuries—placing him third on the list of most Purple Hearts ever received by an individual. After retiring from active military duty, he joined the United States Postal Service before returning to government service as a paramilitary operations officer with the CIA where he pursued high-profile terrorists like Carlos the Jackal and Osama Bin Laden.
He returned to Bastrop later in life and passed away in April 2023 at age 93.
