Ralph Puckett Jr., awarded Medal of Honor for heroism during the Korean War, dies at 97

Source: Associated Press

Ralph Puckett Jr., awarded Medal of Honor for heroism during the Korean War, dies at 97

BY RUSS BYNUM
Updated 1:25 PM EDT, April 10, 2024

Ralph Puckett Jr., a retired Army colonel awarded the Medal of Honor seven decades after he was wounded leading a company of outnumbered Army Rangers in battle during the Korean War, has died at age 97.

Puckett died peacefully Monday at his home in Columbus, Georgia, according to the Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, which is handling funeral arrangements.

President Joe Biden lauded Puckett for his “extraordinary heroism and selflessness above and beyond the call of duty” while presenting the retired colonel with the nation’s highest military honor at the White House in 2021. Biden noted the award was “more than 70 years overdue.”

“He’s always believed that all that mattered to be a Ranger was if you had the guts and the brains,” Biden said.

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Read more: https://apnews.com/article/medal-of-honor-ralph-puckett-obit-fdd6bbcc63d72c9c702d71bd6c5335eb


Puckett being awarded the Medal of Honor by President Joe Biden in 2021.