(1926-12-08)December 8, 1926 Tifton, Georgia, U.S.
Died
April 8, 2024(2024-04-08) (aged 97) Columbus, Georgia, U.S.
Allegiance
United States
Service/branch
United States Army
Years of service
1943–1945, 1949–1971
Rank
Colonel
Commands held
2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry (Airborne) Mountain Ranger Division of the Ranger Department Eighth Army Ranger Company
Battles/wars
World War II Korean War Vietnam War
Awards
Medal of Honor Distinguished Service Cross Silver Star (2) Legion of Merit (3) Bronze Star Medal (2) Purple Heart (5) Air Medal (10) Army Commendation Medal Taegeuk - Order of Military Merit
Other work
Outward Bound, Inc. (1971–1986)
Ralph Puckett Jr. (December 8, 1926 – April 8, 2024) was a United States Army officer. He led the Eighth Army Ranger Company during the Korean War and was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions on November 25, 1950, when his company of 51 Rangers was attacked by several hundred Chinese soldiers at the battle for Hill 205.[1][2] He later served in the Vietnam War and retired from the army in 1971 as a colonel. After being appointed on July 19, 1996, he served as the Honorary Colonel of the 75th Ranger Regiment.[3]
In April 2021, Puckett's Distinguished Service Cross for his actions on November 25, 1950, was upgraded to the Medal of Honor. He received the award from President Joe Biden during a ceremony at the White House on May 21, 2021. Until his death in 2024, he was the last surviving Medal of Honor recipient of the Korean War, following the death of Hiroshi Miyamura on November 29, 2022.[4]
^Ralph Puckett, WD AGO FORM 639 dated January 11, 1951
^Lock, John D.; Moore, Harold G. (2001). To Fight With Intrepidity: The Complete History of the U.S. Army Rangers 1622 to Present. Fenestra Books. ISBN 1-58736-064-0.
^USMA class of 1982 recommendation for COL Puckett for the Distinguished Graduate Award Archived September 28, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
^Leo Shane III (May 19, 2021). "Korean war hero to receive Medal of Honor this week". armytimes.com. Archived from the original on April 10, 2024. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
RalphPuckett Jr. (December 8, 1926 – April 8, 2024) was a United States Army officer. He led the Eighth Army Ranger Company during the Korean War and...
Puckett (born 1947), American politician, Virginia state senator RalphPuckett (1926–2024), United States Army Ranger in the Korean War Riley Puckett...
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two surviving Medal of Honor recipients of the Korean War, along with RalphPuckett Jr. While he was held as a prisoner of war, the award was classified...
Representatives (1973–1975) and Florida Senate (1966–1972) (b. 1934) RalphPuckett, 97, Army officer, Medal of Honor recipient (b. 1926) Victor Riley,...
Portmann Charles E. Potter Geronimo Pratt Tommy Prince Francis Gary Powers RalphPuckett (two awards) Chesty Puller Lewis Burwell Puller Jr. Agustín Ramos Calero...
Battalion served with distinction in the Philippines. RalphPuckett Award (Officer Honor Graduate) The Puckett Award is awarded to the Ranger that passes all...
Korean War, a unique Ranger unit was formed. Led by Second Lieutenant RalphPuckett, the Eighth Army Ranger Company was created in August 1950. It served...
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by elements from the entire Regiment, 3 August 2009 Retired Colonel RalphPuckett places the Ranger Scroll on two graduates of the Ranger Assessment and...
the Eighth Army replacement pool, McGee recruited Second Lieutenant RalphPuckett, newly commissioned from West Point and with no combat experience, to...
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Charles G. Cleveland (1927–2021) — U.S. Air Force. Last flying ace. RalphPuckett (1926–2024) – U.S. Army. Last Medal of Honor recipient. Military history...
William Evans (April 13, 2021) Hershel W. Williams (July 14, 2022) RalphPuckett (April 29 , 2024) Other notable individuals, several of them being the...
Korea, a unique Ranger unit was formed. Headed by Second Lieutenant RalphPuckett, the Eighth Army Ranger Company was created in August 1950. It would...
1920 Douglas MacArthur, class of 1903 Andrew P. O'Meara, class of 1930 RalphPuckett, class of 1949, Commander of 8th Army Ranger Company Fidel V. Ramos...
Emmett Paige, Jr. Frank Peregory Emily Perez Pascal Poolaw Colin Powell RalphPuckett Matthew Ridgway Ruben Rivers Roscoe Robinson, Jr. Tibor "Ted" Rubin...
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Scouts set the muse for management model, dedication to service Col. RalphPuckett took into U.S. Military". We are the Nation News. May 23, 2021. "Distinguished...
several of the enemy with hand grenades to save a group of fellow Marines RalphPuckett Army O-01First Lieutenant Near Unsan, North Korea November 25, 1950...
Williams, last World War II Medal of Honor recipient (July 13, 2022) RalphPuckett, last Korean War Medal of Honor recipient (April 29, 2024) People who...
Beaumont, 1930, actor who played Ward Cleaver on Leave it to Beaver RalphPuckett, 1943, Medal of Honor recipient for heroism in the Korean War David...
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