Ronald Paul Bucca | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | (1954-05-06)May 6, 1954 New York City,New York, U.S. |
| Died | September 11, 2001(2001-09-11) (aged 47) South Tower,World Trade Center, New York City, U.S. |
| Cause of death | Collapse of theSouth Tower during theSeptember 11 attacks |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch | |
| Years of service | 1972–2001 |
| Rank | Captain |
| Wars | Vietnam War |
Ronald Paul Bucca (May 6, 1954 – September 11, 2001) was aNew York City Fire Department Marshal who was killed when the South Tower of the World Trade Center collapsed during theSeptember 11 attacks. He was the onlyfire marshal in the history of theNew York City Fire Department to be killed in the line of duty.
Bucca had served in theUnited States Army as aGreen Beret during theVietnam War. Later, he would serve theDefense Intelligence Agency (DIA) as ananalyst.[1] Becoming awarrant officer in theArmy Reserve in 1986, he was subsequently injured on his civilian job as an FDNY firefighter, which cost him his qualifications as aparatrooper and ended his eligibility with theArmy Special Forces, causing him to leave the service.[2][3]
Bucca was a 22-year veteran of the department; he was promoted to Fire Marshal in 1992. As such, he was one of the people who investigated the1993 World Trade Center bombing[3] and the FDNY representative on theJoint Terrorism Task Force. By 2000, the fire department's seat was removed, and Bucca's position there relinquished.[2]
After responding to theSeptember 11 attacks, Bucca ascended to the impact zone at the Sky Lobby on the 78th floor of theSouth Tower of theWorld Trade Center, along with Battalion ChiefOrio Palmer.[4] The two men, both experienced marathon runners, are believed to have made it to the highest floor of any first responders in either tower before the building collapsed.[2] His body was found on October 23, 2001 and identified using his badge. Bucca was the onlyfire marshal in the history of the New York City Fire Department to be killed in the line of duty.[5]
In 2003,military police named the principal detainee holding camp in Iraq "Camp Bucca".[6]
At theNational September 11 Memorial, Bucca is memorialized at the South Pool, on Panel S-14, along with those of other first responders killed in the attacks.[7]
DIA honors Bucca each year through an annual award named after him. The award is given to a military reservist who demonstrates excellence in fulfilling the counterterrorism mission, the area that Bucca worked while at DIA.[8]
Bucca's son, Ron Bucca Jr. joined theGreen Berets at age 23, motivated to pursue terrorists like those responsible for the death of his father.[3] He rose to the rank ofMaster Sergeant, and by 2021, had been through five combat tours.[9]
