The last surviving Korean War Medal of Honor recipient will lie in honor in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol later this month.
In a joint statement earlier this week, House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) announced that the ceremony for retired U.S. Army Col. Ralph Puckett, Jr., is scheduled for April 29.
Puckett, Jr. died at his home on April 8. He was 97.
"The extraordinary valor of Colonel Ralph Puckett, Jr. represents the best of the 1.7 million Americans who left home to fight for freedom in the Korean War," Johnson and Schumer said in the joint statement.
Puckett Jr. demonstrated tireless sacrifice for the country and his fellow Rangers and is an exceptional model for service members and civilians alike, continued the lawmakers.
“To recognize Colonel Puckett’s remarkable heroism and service, and the contributions of all Korean War veterans, it is our privilege to permit his remains to lie in honor in the Rotunda of the Capitol," Johnson and Schumer said.
Puckett Jr., was born on Dec. 8, 1926, in Tifton, Georgia. The U.S. Military Academy at West Point graduate was commissioned as an Infantry Officer in 1949 and would serve for 22 years, deploying to both Korea and Vietnam.
The Army offered Puckett a medical discharge in 1950 due to wounds he received during a battle that it described as follows:
"While attached to Task Force Dolvin and leading the advance of the 25th Infantry Division on Nov. 25, 1950, Puckett and his Rangers attacked and secured Hill 205 in the vicinity of Unsan, Korea. Though outnumbered ten to one, Puckett and his Rangers defeated five successive Chinese counterattacks over four hours that night and into the early morning hours of Nov. 26. Finally, on the sixth assault, with supporting artillery fires unavailable, the Ranger company was overrun in hand-to-hand combat. Having suffered multiple serious wounds, Puckett was unable to move. Despite orders to abandon him, fellow Rangers fought their way to his side and evacuated him to safety. For his actions, Puckett was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross."
Puckett Jr. turned down the offer of a medical discharge and would go on to assignments at the Ranger School, West Point and Germany. He completed Special Forces training in 1960 and retired in 1971.
As a result of his military service, Puckett Jr. received two Silver Stars, two Legions of Merit, two Bronze Stars with V device for valor, five Purple Hearts, 10 Air Medals, the Army Commendation Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal, the Army said.
He also received the Distinguished Service Cross and another Distinguished Service Cross that was upgraded to the Congressional Medal of Honor.
President Joe Biden presented him with a Medal of Honor during a White House Ceremony on May 21, 2021.
"He leads from the front. He leads by example. He leads with heart. He is a Ranger, and that’s how Rangers lead — that’s how you lead," Biden said during the ceremony.
A Celebration of Life service will be held for Puckett Jr. at the National Infantry Museum on April 20 at 11 a.m. Puckett is survived by his wife of 68 years, two of his children and six grandchildren.
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