Army Ranger Hall of Fame and, from 1996 to 2006, he served as the first Honorary Colonel of the 75th Ranger Regiment. Retiring from active duty in 1971, he became the National Programs Coordinator of Outward Bound, Inc., and subsequently established Discovery, Inc., a leadership and teamwork development program that focused on “Personal Growth through Safe Adventure.” In 1992, he was an inaugural inductee into the U.S. Colonel Puckett served in combat from Augto November 26, 1950, as a member of the 8th Army Ranger Company during the Korean War and from Jto July 3, 1968, as a member of the 101st Airborne Division during the Vietnam War. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant on June 3, 1949. He was subsequently discharged on Jto attend the U.S. First Lieutenant Puckett’s extraordinary heroism and selflessness above and beyond the call of duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service.Ĭolonel Puckett enlisted in the Army Enlisted Reserve Corps on Decemas a Private. Ultimately, the Rangers succeeded in retrieving First Lieutenant Puckett and they moved to the bottom of the hill, where First Lieutenant Puckett called for devastating artillery fire on the top of the enemy controlled hill. Feeling a sense of duty to aid him, the Rangers refused the order and staged an effort to retrieve him from the foxhole while still under harassing fire from the enemy. Knowing his men were in a precarious situation, First Lieutenant Puckett commanded the Rangers to leave him behind and evacuate the area. During this attack, two enemy mortar rounds landed in his foxhole, inflicting grievous wounds which limited his mobility. When the enemy launched a sixth attack, it became clear to First Lieutenant Puckett that the position was untenable due to the unavailability of supporting artillery fire. During the first attack, First Lieutenant Puckett was wounded by grenade fragments, but he refused evacuation and continually directed artillery support that decimated attacking enemy formations, repeatedly abandoned positions of relative safety to make his way from foxhole to foxhole to check the company’s perimeter, and distributed ammunition amongst the Rangers. As a result, five human wave attacks by a battalion strength enemy element were repulsed. Over the course of the counterattack, the Rangers were inspired and motivated by the extraordinary leadership and courageous example exhibited by First Lieutenant Puckett.
#Do medal of honor recipients have to wear the medal full
Leaving the safety of his position and with full knowledge of the danger, First Lieutenant Puckett intentionally ran across an open area three times to draw enemy fire, thereby allowing the Rangers to locate and destroy the enemy positions and to seize Hill 205.ĭuring the course of the night, the enemy launched a counterattack which lasted four hours. Almost immediately, enemy fire threatened the success of the attack by pinning down one platoon. Leaping from the tank, he shouted words of encouragement to his men and began to lead the Rangers in the attack.
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To obtain supporting fire, First Lieutenant Puckett mounted the closest tank, exposing himself to the deadly enemy fire.
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As his unit commenced a daylight attack on Hill 205, the enemy directed mortar, machine gun, and small arms fire against the advancing force. Army Ranger Company during the period of November 25, and 26, 1950, in Korea. distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty, while serving as the Commander, 8th U.S. President Moon Jae-in of the Republic of Korea will join this ceremony. Biden, Jr., will award the Medal of Honor to Colonel Ralph Puckett, Jr., United States Army, Retired, for conspicuous gallantry during the Korean War.