There seems to be a lack of a large contingent of people in HN who are deeply into literary fiction. If you are into that kind of an interest, his name along with the likes of Arnold Bennett, Theodore Dressier, William Howard Dean, Sinclair Lewis, Rebecca West, Thomas Berger, Wallace Stegner, John Galsworthy, etc among many others would have instant recognition.

Waugh specially was an established novelist before world war 2. He participated in various theaters in Europe, and later wrote about them. He may have been one of the foremost chroniclers of the British Experience in WW2. I doubt Americans have someone of similar achievement to compare. Herman Wouk isn't of the same level as Waugh.

Of course there was even the episode of his name featuring in the 100 'Women' novelists of 20th century list of Time magazine.