Colonel Ralph Puckett, Part 2 (#125)
Tomorrow, May 21, 2021, Colonel Ralph Puckett, US Army, Retired will receive the Medal of Honor for his actions in Korea on November 25-26, 1950. The ceremony will be held at the White House and I look forward to watching it. If you’d like to know more about Colonel Puckett and his actions in Korea, please read Post #120.
The Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the United States' highest award for military valor in action. The recipient must have "distinguished himself conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty.” Since 1861, there have been 3,526 Medals of Honor presented to 3,507 recipients. There are currently 67 (68 with Colonel Puckett) living recipients. Colonel Puckett will be the 146th person recognized for their valor during the Korean War and one of four living recipients. The Congressional Medal of Honor Society webpage is a phenomenal resource to learn about the medal and its heroes.
More About Colonel Ralph Puckett
There is so much about Ralph’s life in addition to his actions in Korea it is hard to know where to begin. West Point’s mission statement is to inspire each cadet “to a lifetime of service to the nation.” Colonel Puckett, a graduate of the West Point class of 1949, is a sterling example of a lifetime of service to the nation. He led soldiers in combat in Korea and Vietnam and served the country in uniform for 22 years. He was an early instructor at the US Army Ranger School and helped to establish the Colombian Army’s Lancero School. He is a devoted husband and father. He served as the national director of Outward Bound and founded and ran his own company in the 1970s and 1980s. In the 1990s, after moving back to Columbus, Georgia he personally mentored thousands of Rangers through his work with the 75th Ranger Regiment, the US Army Ranger School, and the Officer Candidate School. He published two books and gave countless speeches on leadership. In 2004, he was selected as a Distinguished Graduate of West Point. His citation is here.
Since today we are talking about his heroism it is worth noting that his actions in 1950 were not a one-time event. In addition to serving in Korea, Colonel Puckett went on to lead the 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry in Vietnam in 1967. During one action with B Company, he received a Distinguished Service Cross for his actions in Vietnam. The Distinguished Service Cross is the United States Army's second highest military decoration for soldiers who display extraordinary heroism in combat with an armed enemy and has been presented since 1918. Colonel Puckett’s DSC citation from Vietnam reads:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Service Cross to Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) Ralph Puckett, Jr., United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2d Battalion (Airborne), 502d Infantry, 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division. Lieutenant Colonel Puckett distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 13 August 1967 while serving as Commanding Officer of an airborne infantry battalion on combat operations near Duc Pho. Shortly after elements of his unit were heavily engaged by a hostile battalion, Colonel Puckett landed in the battle zone to coordinate defenses and to assess the battlefield situation. Disregarding his own safety, he moved across a heavily mined area to the point of the most ferocious fighting to direct and inspire his men against the hostile force. Other elements were savagely attacked with intense mortar fire, so he decentralized the command post to reduce the chance of entire command element being hit. To do this, he personally occupied a foxhole position. He exposed himself to withering fire throughout the night to visit the men in their positions and to encourage and inspire them with his personal bravery and firm determination to overcome the overwhelming onslaught of the fanatical force. He heard cries for help during an intense mortar barrage later that night and dashed through a hail of flying shrapnel to give aid. He personally carried the two wounded soldiers back to safety and used his skill and experience as a truly professional soldier to treat their wounds. When rescue helicopters came in, he repeatedly refused extraction for himself and directed that the casualties be evacuated. With bullets striking all around him, he remained in the open to rally his fatigued men through the long night by sharing every phase of the battle with them. His fearless leadership and aggressive, determined actions in the face of grave danger inspired his men to fight furiously throughout the night and obtain a decisive victory over the numerically superior Viet Cong attackers. Lieutenant Colonel Puckett's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
Conclusion
Hope you enjoyed learning a little more about Colonel Ralph Puckett, a true American hero. Go on the offense and lead the way for your team in 2021.