Ralph Puckett Jr. was an Army Ranger who served with valor in the Korean War and received the Medal of Honor more than 70 years later.
- Died: April 8, 2024 (Who else died on April 8?)
- Details of death: Died at his home in Columbus, Georgia of complications from Parkinson’s disease at the age of 97.
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Ralph Puckett Jr.’s legacy
Puckett joined the U.S. Army during World War II, initially hoping to train as an aviator. However, his mind was changed while he trained at West Point, and he became determined to serve in the infantry and join the Army Rangers. His strong drive to serve impressed his superiors, who promoted him to command the Eighth Army Ranger Company in the early days of the Korean War.
A month and a half after his company began fighting in the conflict, on November 25, 1950, Puckett and his squad took Hill 205 during the Battle of Chongchon River. With his men greatly outnumbered and himself injured by a hand grenade, Puckett fought off enemy fire and led the company in hand-to-hand combat as they fought to take Hill 205. He received further injuries until he was no longer able to move, and he ordered his men to leave him and get to safety, but they disregarded his orders and saved him.
The Battle of Chongchon River was the end of Puckett’s Korean War service, and he spent a year recovering from his wounds in the hospital. He was honored with the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions in the battle, one of many decorations he received, including two Silver Stars, two Bronze Stars and five Purple Hearts. He remained in the Army for more than two decades, including serving in the U.S. Army Infantry School Ranger Department as a commander and helping establish Colombia’s Ranger School. Puckett served in the Vietnam War at the end of his time in the military, and he was honored with a second Distinguished Service Cross for valor as he fought. He retired in 1971.
Puckett said he was happy to have been honored with the Distinguished Service Cross, but Army Ranger historian John Lock believed he deserved a Medal of Honor for his actions in Korea. He lobbied for the distinction for 18 years, and in 2021, his efforts paid off: Puckett was given the Medal of Honor by President Joe Biden, making him one of the most decorated soldiers in military history. He was the last of the 146 Medal of Honor recipients from the Korean War to survive.
Notable quote
“I’ve never regretted being an infantryman. It gives you an opportunity to work directly with people, Soldiers. And that’s the most enjoyable part of the military as far as I’m concerned.” —from a 2013 oral history interview for the United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration
Tributes to Ralph Puckett Jr.
Full obituary: The Washington Post
