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The remains of Col. Ralph Puckett, Jr., nan past surviving Medal of Honor recipient from nan Korean War, laic successful grant Monday successful nan Rotunda of nan U.S. Capitol.
Puckett Jr., calved Dec. 8, 1926, died astatine his location connected Monday, April 8. He was 97.
Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced connected Tuesday, April 16, that Congress would grant nan fallen Medal of Honor pinch nan prestigious reception.
"The bonzer valor of Colonel Ralph Puckett, Jr. represents nan champion of nan 1.7 cardinal Americans who near location to conflict for state successful nan Korean War," nan 2 lawmakers said successful a associated statement. "He demonstrated tireless sacrifice for our state and his chap Rangers and is an exceptional exemplary for servicemembers and civilians alike. To admit Colonel Puckett’s singular heroism and service, and nan contributions of each Korean War veterans, it is our privilege to licence his remains to lie successful honor successful nan Rotunda of nan Capitol."
An grant defender salutes an urn containing nan cremated remains of retired Army Col. Ralph Puckett Jr. during his legislature tribute successful nan rotunda of nan U.S. Capitol connected April 29, 2024, successful Washington, D.C. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
LAST SURVIVING MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENT FROM THE KOREAN WAR WILL LIE IN HONOR AT THE US CAPITOL
Lawmakers and members of Puckett’s family surrounded nan urn resting successful nan halfway of nan Capitol’s revered Rotunda.
Puckett Jr. was from Tifton, Georgia. He graduated from nan U.S. Military Academy astatine West Point and was commissioned arsenic an Infantry Officer successful 1949, wherever he went connected to person a highly-decorated career.
President Biden presented nan Medal of Honor to 94-year-old retired Army colonel Ralph Puckett, Jr., for conspicuous gallantry while serving during nan Korean War, successful 2021. Puckett, Jr. passed distant astatine his location connected Monday, April 8. (BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images)
A subject grant defender carries nan urn of nan precocious U.S. Army Col. Ralph Puckett, upon presence astatine nan U.S. Capitol wherever he is lying successful grant successful nan Rotunda connected April 29, 2024, successful Washington, D.C. Puckett was nan past surviving Medal of Honor recipient from nan Korean War earlier his decease earlier this month. (GREG NASH/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
"He leads from nan front. He leads by example. He leads pinch heart. He is simply a Ranger, and that’s really Rangers lead — that’s really you lead," President Biden said during a White House Ceremony connected May 21, 2021, erstwhile he presented Puckett, Jr. pinch a Medal of Honor. The retired Army colonel was 94 years aged astatine nan time.
COL. RALPH PUCKETT, KOREAN WAR HERO AND MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENT, DEAD AT 97
Puckett Jr. served arsenic a U.S. Army Ranger and was deployed to nan Korean War successful 1950 and nan Vietnam War successful 1967.
Puckett Jr. served arsenic a U.S. Army Ranger and was deployed to nan Korean War successful 1950 and nan Vietnam War successful 1967. (US Army/Puckett Family)
During his 22 years of service, Puckett Jr. received 2 Silver Stars, 2 Legions of Merit, 2 Bronze Stars pinch V instrumentality for valor, 5 Purple Hearts and different accolades. (US Army/Puckett Family)
During his 22 years of service, he received 2 Silver Stars, 2 Legions of Merit, 2 Bronze Stars pinch V instrumentality for valor, 5 Purple Hearts, 10 Air Medals, nan Army Commendation Medal, and nan World War II Victory Medal, among others, according to nan Army.
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An grant defender carries an urn containing nan cremated remains of retired Army Col. Ralph Puckett Jr. during his legislature tribute successful nan rotunda of nan U.S. Capitol connected April 29, 2024, successful Washington, D.C. (J. Scott Applewhite - Pool/Getty Images)
According to nan Architect of nan Capitol, authorities officials and subject officers typically dishonesty successful authorities successful nan U.S. Capitol while backstage citizens dishonesty successful honor.
"No law, written rule, aliases regularisation specifies who whitethorn dishonesty successful state; usage of nan U.S. Capitol Rotunda is controlled by concurrent action of nan House and Senate. Any personification who has rendered distinguished work to nan federation whitethorn dishonesty successful authorities if nan family truthful wishes and Congress approves," according to its website.
