Ralph Puckett
Ralph Puckett Jr. | |
|---|---|
COL Ralph Puckett, Jr. | |
| Born | December 8, 1926 Tifton, Georgia, U.S. |
| Died | April 8, 2024 (aged 97) Columbus, Georgia, U.S. |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1943–1945, 1949–1971 |
| Rank | Colonel |
| Commands | 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. 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.
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.