Posted by Terry Powers on April 11, 2024:

Another honorable soldier from the USMA Class of 1949, one of my father's West Point classmates. These men faced some tough times,. Duty - Honor - Country sustained them. His Memorial on Find-A-Grave Ralph Atticus Puckett Jr. Famous VETERAN 8 Dec 1926 Tifton, Tift County, Georgia 8 Apr 2024 (aged 97) Columbus, Muscogee County, Georgia Parkhill Cemetery Columbus, Muscogee County, Georgia Medal of Honor Recipient. He was a United States Army officer who was with the Eighth Army Ranger Company. During the Korean War, he distinguished himself while serving as the Commanding Officer of the 8th Ranger Company, 8213th Army Unit, 8th while leading his Company in an attack by enemy aggressor forces near Unsan, Korea, For his leadership and his heroic actions he was awarded his country's highest award for his actions. His citation reads as follows: "For extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as Commanding Officer of the 8th Ranger Company, 8213th Army Unit, 8th U.S. Army. First Lieutenant Puckett distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action against enemy aggressor forces near Unsan, Korea, on 25 and 26 November 1950. With complete disregard for his personal safety, First Lieutenant Puckett led his company across eight hundred yards of open terrain under heavy enemy small-arms fire and captured the company's objective. During this operation he deliberately exposed himself to enemy machine-gun fire to enable his men to spot locations of the machine guns. After capturing the objective, he directed preparation of defensive positions against an expected enemy counterattack. At 2200 hours on 25 November 1950, while directing the defense of his position against a heavy counterattack, he was wounded in the right shoulder. Refusing evacuation, he continued to direct his company through four more counterattacks by a numerically superior force who advanced to within grenade range before being driven back. During these attacks, he left the safety of his foxhole in order to observe movements of the enemy and to direct artillery fire. In so doing, he repeatedly exposed himself to heavy small-arms and mortar fire. In the sixth counterattack, at 0300 hours on 26 November 1950, he was wounded again, so seriously that he was unable to move. Detecting that his company was about to be overrun and forced to withdraw, he ordered his men to leave him behind so as not to endanger their withdrawal. Despite his protests, he was dragged from the hill to a position of safety. First Lieutenant Puckett's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army." During his time in the Army, he also received the Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star (2), Legion of Merit (3), Bronze Star Medal (2), Purple Heart (5), Air Medal (10) Army Commendation Medal and the Taegeuk - Order of Military Merit. After 22 years of service, he retired as a Colonel. He was inducted into the U.S. Army Ranger Hall of Fame and the USAF Gathering of Eagles. He passed away at his home at the age of 97. Family Members Parents Ralph Atticus Puckett Sr 1896--1968 Clara Offerman Stedman Puckett 1895--1983 Siblings Clara Stedman Puckett Winston 1918--2006 Thomas Stedman "Tommie" Puckett 1929--1977 www.findagrave.com/memorial/269197473/ralph-atticus-puckett

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