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Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced Tuesday that Colonel Ralph Puckett, Jr., nan past surviving Medal of Honor recipient from nan Korean War, will dishonesty successful grant successful nan Rotunda of nan U.S. Capitol.
He died astatine location connected Monday, April 8. He was 97. The ceremonial will hap connected Monday, April 29, nan lawmakers said.
"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.
They added: "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 dishonesty successful grant in nan Rotunda of nan Capitol."
COL. RALPH PUCKETT, KOREAN WAR HERO AND MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENT, DEAD AT 97
Colonel Ralph Puckett, Jr. will dishonesty successful grant successful nan Rotunda of nan U.S. Capitol connected Monday, April 29th. (BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images)
President Biden presented Puckett, Jr. pinch a Medal of Honor during a White House Ceremony connected May 21, 2021.
"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," nan president said of nan then-94-year-old retired Army colonel.
President Biden presented Puckett, Jr. pinch a Medal of Honor successful 2021. (Stefani Reynolds-Pool/Getty Images)
US President Joe Biden applauded nan then-94-year-old retired Army colonel, saying he "leads by example." (BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images)
Puckett Jr., calved Dec. 8, 1926, is from Tifton, Georgia. He graduated from nan U.S. Military Academy astatine West Point and was commissioned arsenic an Infantry Officer successful 1949.
He past served arsenic a U.S. Army Ranger and was deployed to nan Korean War successful 1950 and nan Vietnam War successful 1967.
LOU CONTER, LAST LIVING PEARL HARBOR SURVIVOR ABOARD USS ARIZONA, DEAD AT 102
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.
Col. Puckett, seen present connected nan power successful Vietnam, graduated from nan U.S. Military Academy astatine West Point and was commissioned arsenic an Infantry Officer successful 1949. (US Army/Puckett Family)
He besides received nan 2 highest awards for military valor: nan Distinguished Service Cross and different Distinguished Service Cross that was upgraded to nan Congressional Medal of Honor.
"He feared nary man, he feared nary business and he feared nary enemy. Clearly a unique, courageous Soldier successful combat and moreover much importantly, successful my opinion, Col. Puckett was an eventual Infantry leader," said retired General Jay Hendrix, Army reported.
Col. Puckett received his 2nd Distinguished Service Cross from President Lyndon B. Johnson. (US Army/Puckett Family)
Puckett was offered a aesculapian discharge successful 1950, for wounds he received during a conflict that raged much than 4 hours against Chinese forces that outnumbered his section 10-to-1, according to nan U.S. Army.
"1st Lt. Ralph Puckett, United States Army, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity successful action astatine nan consequence of his life supra and beyond nan telephone of work connected 25-26 November 1950 while serving arsenic Commander, Eighth Army Ranger Company, Task Force Dolvin. As nan Rangers commenced nan daylight onslaught of Hill 205, nan force directed mortar, machinegun and mini arms occurrence against nan advancing force. To get supporting fire, 1st Lt. Puckett mounted nan closest vessel exposing himself to nan deadly force fire. Leaping from nan tank, he yelled, ‘Let's go!’ and began to lead his Rangers successful nan attack.," nan U.S. Army said.
According to nan Architect of nan Capitol, location are nary group rules for who tin dishonesty successful authorities aliases successful grant astatine nan U.S. Capitol. (Ricky Carioti/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
The usage of nan U.S. Capitol Rotunda for those Lying successful Honor is controlled by concurrent action of nan House and Senate. (Tasos Katopodis-Pool/Getty Images)
In different explanation of nan events, nan Army wrote:
"While attached to Task Force Dolvin and starring nan beforehand of nan 25th Infantry Division connected Nov. 25, 1950, Puckett and his Rangers attacked and secured Hill 205 successful nan vicinity of Unsan, Korea. Though outnumbered 10 to one, Puckett and his Rangers defeated 5 successive Chinese counterattacks complete 4 hours that nighttime and into nan early greeting hours of Nov. 26. Finally, connected nan sixth assault, pinch supporting artillery fires unavailable, nan Ranger institution was overrun successful hand-to-hand combat. Having suffered aggregate superior wounds, Puckett was incapable to move. Despite orders to wantonness him, chap Rangers fought their measurement to his broadside and evacuated him to safety. For his actions, Puckett was awarded nan Distinguished Service Cross."
Refusing to discontinue his service, Puckett took an duty astatine nan U.S. Army Ranger School and West Point. He past completed his ain Special Forces training successful 1960 and served successful Germany.
He yet retired successful 1971, going connected to service his organization pinch his woman of 68 years. Puckett is survived by his wife, 2 of his children and six grandchildren.
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Pucket will besides dishonesty successful grant pursuing a Celebration of Life astatine nan National Infantry Museum connected Saturday, April 20th astatine 11:00am.
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.
