ARMY RANGER PUCKETT RECEIVES MEDAL OF HONOR

A retired Army officer became one of the most decorated soldiers in U.S. military history on Friday, receiving the Medal of Honor from President Biden at the White House more than 70 years after leading soldiers through a fierce attack during the Korean War.

Col. Ralph Puckett Jr., 94, stood in a dress uniform as Biden draped the medal around his neck. He had entered the ceremony in a wheelchair, and a walker was nearby, but set both aside to receive the nation's highest award for valor in combat.

Biden, awarding his first Medal of Honor as president, recounted how Puckett braved enemy fire repeatedly as his soldiers took control of Hill 205, frozen high ground about 60 miles from the Chinese border.

As Chinese soldiers launched swarming attacks afterward for hours in bitterly cold temperatures, then-1st Lt. Puckett checked on his men and redistributed ammunition, even after he was wounded.

Korea is sometimes called the ‘Forgotten War,' but those men who were there under Lieutenant Puckett's command, they will never forget his bravery, Biden said. They will never forget that he was right by their side for every minute of it.

Puckett was long ago awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, the nation's second-highest award for valor in combat, for his actions in the battle on Nov. 25-26, 1950. The clash came near the outset of the Battle of the Chongchon River, and senior U.S. commanders were caught by surprise by China's full-scale entry into the Korean War.

Puckett now moves into a rarefied air, even for Medal of Honor recipients recognized for valor. He also has a Distinguished Service Cross, two Silver Stars, and two Bronze Stars with V device for valor in the Vietnam War, and five Purple Hearts for injuries suffered in combat.

To read the complete articles, see:
Retired Army officer receives Medal of Honor, becomes one of most decorated soldiers in U.S. history (https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2021/05/21/medal-of-honor-ralph-puckett/)
Biden Awards Medal of Honor to Retired Ranger for Korean War Heroism (https://www.defense.gov/Explore/News/Article/Article/2627628/biden-awards-medal-of-honor-to-retired-ranger-for-korean-war-heroism/)

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