Vietnam War veteran and longtime veterans advocate Bill Buss was honored with the 2026 Veterans Advocacy Award by the Wisconsin County and Tribal Veterans Service Officers Association (WTCVSO) during its annual formal banquet on Thursday, October 15, at the association's Fall Training Conference.
The award was presented by WTCVSO Association President Clayton Ruegsegger in recognition of Buss' decades of outstanding service, dedication to veterans and their families, and commitment to preserving the legacy of those who have served.
Buss was drafted into the United States Army in 1968 and deployed to Vietnam that October. Approximately two and a half months into his deployment, he was wounded in a mine explosion. Following his military service, Buss returned home and resumed his civilian career, ultimately spending 50 years with the same employer.
His commitment to fellow veterans began in 1970 when he joined American Legion Post 118. Over the following decades, he served multiple terms as Post Commander, Chaplain, and Service Officer, and has served approximately 20 years as the post's Finance Officer. In 2007, he joined VFW Post 9057, becoming Commander in 2017, a position he continues to hold. He is also involved with the Military Order of the Purple Heart and Vietnam Veterans of America.
Throughout his community, Buss is widely recognized for coordinating military funeral honors, often assisting neighboring veteran’s organizations when additional honor guard personnel are needed. He also organizes veteran participation in community parades, supports patriotic essay competitions and scholarship programs, and volunteers extensively at The Highground Veterans Memorial Park, including educational programs for area students.
In 2019, Buss played an instrumental role in developing a Veterans Remembrance Park, serving as the financial officer for the project, which exceeded $250,000. He continues to assist with the park's ongoing financial and maintenance responsibilities.
Nominated by Len Lipinski, Buss was recognized for his extraordinary dedication to veterans causes and his willingness to consistently step forward whenever his fellow veterans or community need assistance.
The 2026 Veterans Advocacy Award recognizes not only Buss’ remarkable record of volunteerism and leadership, but also a lifetime of service that began in uniform and continues more than five decades later.
The Wisconsin County and Tribal Veterans Service Officers Association congratulates Bill Buss on this well-deserved recognition and thanks him for his continued service to Wisconsin's veterans and their families.