Austin News

U.S. Senator Ted Cruz announced that the House of Representatives has passed a bill to rename the United States Post Office on Main Street in Bastrop, Texas as the "Sergeant Major Billy D. Waugh Post Office." The bill now awaits the President's signature to become law.

Senator Cruz remarked, “Sergeant Major Billy Waugh dedicated his life to serving his state and country. As an Army paratrooper, Special Forces Soldier, CIA paramilitary officer, Postal Service member, and eight-time Purple Heart recipient, he embodied the highest ideals of American patriotism and sacrifice. By naming the Bastrop Post Office after Sergeant Major Waugh, we honor his legacy of resilience, courage, and sacrifice.”

Senator John Cornyn expressed his support for the legislation by stating: “I am proud to champion legislation alongside Senator Cruz to designate the post office in Bastrop, Texas after Sergeant Major Waugh, a decorated combat war veteran and eight-time Purple Heart recipient who dedicated five decades of service to our country. Now that this bill has passed the Senate, we are one step closer to renaming this facility in his honor, which will serve as a reminder of his impressive legacy and lifetime of service for generations to come.”

Sergeant Major Billy D. Waugh was born in December 1929 in Bastrop, Texas. He served from 1948 until 1972 as an Army paratrooper and Special Forces Soldier during both the Korean and Vietnam wars. Notably, he participated in military history's first high-altitude low-opening (HALO) combat parachute assault.

Throughout his military career, Sergeant Major Waugh earned numerous accolades including a Silver Star and eight Purple Hearts for injuries sustained during combat. Following retirement from active duty, he worked with the United States Postal Service before rejoining government service with the Central Intelligence Agency as a paramilitary operations officer where he pursued high-profile terrorists like Carlos the Jackal and Osama Bin Laden.

Waugh returned home later in life to Bastrop where he passed away at age 93 in April 2023.