Bio
Born in Tifton, Georgia, Ralph Puckett, Jr. graduated from West Point in 1949. Assigned as an Infantry Lieutenant to occupation duty in Japan, he volunteered for Eighth U.S. Army Ranger Company when the Korean War began in 1950. COL John H. McGee, the Korean Ranger Training Center Commander, assigned Puckett as company commander.
During the Battle for Hill 205, near the Chongch’on River, Puckett’s company was surrounded by Chinese soldiers assaulting in human wave attacks. Wounded several times, he continued to lead until passing out from his injuries. He earned the Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) for this action, which was upgraded to the Medal of Honor on 21 May 2021.
Puckett later led the Mountain Training Camp at Dahlonega, Georgia, before serving as a Ranger Advisor to Colombia and helping establish the prestigious Escuela de Lanceros program. MAJ Puckett completed Special Forces training in 1960, later commanding teams in 10th Special Forces Group at Bad Tolz, Germany. In Vietnam, Puckett was awarded the DSC for an action near Chu Lai in August 1967.
Retiring in 1971, COL Puckett continued service to the Ranger Regiment. In 1992, he was inducted into the U.S. Ranger Hall of Fame, and later served as the Honorary Colonel of the 75th Ranger Regiment.
