Congress paid tribute to the late Ralph Puckett Jr. on Monday with a lying in honor ceremony at the Capitol. Puckett, a retired Army colonel, led an outnumbered company during the Korean War and was the last surviving veteran of that war to receive the Medal of Honor. He passed away at the age of 97 earlier this month in Georgia. Puckett’s actions during the wartime earned him the nation’s highest military honor, awarded in 2021, nearly seven decades after the war.
The lying in honor ceremony at the Capitol is a rare honor reserved for distinguished private citizens. Only seven others have received this honor, with the most recent being Hershel W. “Woody” Williams in 2022, the last surviving Medal of Honor recipient from World War II. The ceremonies for both Williams and Puckett not only honored their individual bravery but also served as a tribute to the broader generations of veterans, whose numbers are dwindling.
Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell praised Puckett’s courage and self-sacrifice during the 1950 battle near Unsan, where he led 50 Army Rangers against overwhelming odds, being outnumbered 10-to-1. Despite suffering serious wounds during the battle, Puckett continued to lead his troops and refused to leave them behind. His actions, including drawing enemy fire away from his fellow soldiers, exemplified bravery and leadership in the face of adversity.
House Speaker Mike Johnson also lauded Puckett’s actions, noting that while many soldiers in the Korean War made sacrifices, only a select few, like Puckett, went above and beyond the call of duty. At the Capitol ceremony, eight other Medal of Honor recipients paid their final respects to Puckett, highlighting the camaraderie and respect among those who have earned the nation’s highest military honor.
Born in Georgia in 1926, Puckett graduated from West Point before joining the Army and eventually becoming the commander of the 8th Army Ranger Company. Despite his limited experience, Puckett led his troops with humility and a clear understanding of the horrors of war. He prayed for the safety of his soldiers, demonstrating his commitment to their well-being even in the midst of battle.
The final tribute to Ralph Puckett Jr. at the Capitol underscored his legacy as a true American hero, whose actions in the Korean War exemplified bravery, selflessness, and leadership. As the last surviving veteran of that war to receive the Medal of Honor, Puckett’s memory will live on as an inspiration to future generations of soldiers. The lying in honor ceremony served as a fitting tribute to a man who dedicated his life to serving his country and demonstrating the highest ideals of military service.
