Colonel Ralph Puckett Jr.: A Tribute to Valor and Command

Colonel Ralph Puckett Jr., an exemplar of courage and command, departed this life at 97 years old, bequeathing a heritage of inspiration to countless warriors and citizens. His distinguished service record, adorned with acts of gallantry and altruism, traversed dual conflicts and a multitude of commendable deeds, meriting the top accolades of the U.S. armed forces.

Hailing from Tifton, Georgia, Puckett Jr. graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1949 and embarked on his journey as an Infantry Officer. During his tenure on occupation duty in Okinawa, he seized the opportunity to join the nascent Eighth Army Ranger Company, established in the wake of the Korean Conflict's inception in 1950.

A Pioneer Ranger: Always Ready to Fight

As a Lieutenant, he volunteered to serve in Korea, and then he was selected to create and lead the 8^th Army Ranger Company amid war. He personally selected the personnel, which consisted of drivers, clerks, and cooks, as trained infantrymen were off-limits for his newly created unit.

In less than six weeks, LT Pucket trained his men to the highest standards and practically achieved a miracle by making them battle-ready to join the 25^th Infantry Division straight into the heart of the battle. They conducted reconnaissance patrols two miles from the 38^th parallel. On November 18, 1950, the unit returned to Kaesong and was attached to the 89^th Medium Tank Battalion. LT Puckett mastered the professionalism and adaptability of these Rangers, and everyone wanted to have them under their chain of command.

He also set out the standards for his Rangers that applied to the NCOs and the officers alike. These goals would eventually form the core of Ranger training:

1. Each Ranger would be in outstanding physical condition. Every Ranger would be a Tiger!
2. Each Ranger would be highly skilled in the tactics and techniques of the individual soldier (T&TIS). Every Ranger would know his stuff.
3. Each squad, each platoon, and the company as a whole would be a smoothly functioning, highly efficient killing machine.
4. Each Ranger would have the confidence and esprit that caused him to believe that he and his Ranger Company were the best the United States Army could produce. This goal was as important as any of the rest.

(In our opinion, the only big thing that needs to be added here to become a complete Warrior is the Airborne Qualification, which would eventually be instilled in the Ranger requirements.)

Puckett Jr., a titan among the Army Ranger echelons, orchestrated the stalwart defense of the renowned Hill 205 at the onset of the Korean War, confronting a battalion of Chinese adversaries vastly outnumbering his 51-strong Ranger contingent.

Belonging to a legendary generation, his leadership saga continued ten years later when he helmed the 101st Airborne Paratroopers in a reminiscently staunch defensive operation in Vietnam. His heroics in both engagements were honored with the Distinguished Service Cross, the Army's penultimate combat tribute.

Come May 2021, following persistent advocacy by the Ranger fraternity, Puckett Jr.'s Distinguished Service Cross, bestowed for his valor at Hill 205, was elevated to the Medal of Honor—the nation's most esteemed military honor. This accolade illuminated his extraordinary bravery and devotion to safeguarding his comrades and nation.

Colonel Ralph Puckett Jr.: The Embodiment of Resilience and Leadership

In 1967, destiny led Puckett to the battlegrounds of Vietnam, where he encountered the formidable Battle of Duc Pho as a battalion leader of the 101st Airborne. Puckett's indomitable spirit shone again there as he braved perilous minefields to marshal defenses and rally his troops against a formidable Viet Cong contingent. His gallantry in this conflict merited him a second Distinguished Service Cross, cementing his stature as a heroic leader and a living legend.

Upon his departure from active service in 1971, Puckett’s influence endured within the Ranger fold, perpetually motivating legions of soldiers. The Puckett Award, conferred upon the premier officer of each Ranger School cadre, stands as a tribute to his lasting imprint on the ethos of Ranger instruction and the cultivation of leadership.

Colonel Ralph Puckett Jr. is a name that resonates with valor, leadership, and an altruistic commitment emblematic of the highest ideals of the U.S. armed forces. His relentless spirit and steadfast dedication to his responsibilities stand as an immortal beacon for those seeking to achieve eminence in their service to the nation.

A Role Model and An Inspiration for Young Generations

Colonel Puckett's influence extends beyond his tenure in uniform. In his post-service years, he devoted himself to cultivating leadership programs, guiding fledgling officers, and instilling the ethos of honor, courage, and selfless service in them. His enduring impact continues to sculpt the character and command of future soldier generations, ensuring his contributions to the military community persist through time.

His narrative, a testament to the embodiment of an American hero, will eternally echo in the corridors of time, revered by those privileged to have served with him and countless others who draw inspiration from his extraordinary tale. The military sphere experienced a profound absence with his passing, yet his legacy illuminates the path for those following his footsteps.

Colonel Ralph Puckett Jr.'s life stands as a testament to the timeless virtues of honor, sacrifice, and devotion to one's country, galvanizing a new cadre of leaders to embrace the principles he so honorably embodied. In contemplation of his life and enduring influence, we are called to honor his memory by aspiring to the virtues of bravery, integrity, and service that he so profoundly represented.

Goodbye, You Legend!

The Battle of Hill 205

Although COL Puckett is remembered for many of his heroic acts, one that stands out is the saga of Hill 205. This was not merely a chapter of valor for Colonel Puckett; it was a chronicle of his steadfast dedication to his troops and the sacred tenets of duty and honor.

In the frostbitten dawn of November 1950, 1st Lt. Ralph Puckett stood tall as the embodiment of valor, steering the Eighth Army Ranger Company through the fiery onslaught at Hill 205. Amidst the chaos of war, he was the beacon that led the charge, shouting “Let’s go!” with a fervor that could ignite the courage in any heart.

As the enemy's relentless machinegun fire rained down, it was Puckett who danced with danger, sprinting across the open battlefield not once but thrice, drawing fire upon himself. His audacious act was more than bravery; it was a tactical masterstroke that allowed his Rangers to pinpoint and dismantle the source of their peril in their quest to defend Hill 205.

But the battle was far from over. As night cloaked the sky, the enemy surged forth in waves, a 500-strong battalion against Puckett's 57 warriors. The cold bit as fiercely as the enemy, yet Puckett's indomitable spirit fueled the fire within his men. With artillery raining down so close it could singe their eyebrows, Puckett traversed the battlefield, a lone figure against the storm, ensuring no foxhole was forgotten, no Ranger left behind.

A Ranger Knows When to Refuse an Order

His nearly empty rifle became a symbol—not of scarcity but of unyielding resolve. He gave his men a reason to believe, fight, and stand firm for every round he kept for himself. And stand firm they did, against all odds, their wills unbroken, their spirits unyielded, all because one man, 1st Lt. Ralph Puckett, dared to lead with a heart as fierce as the battle itself.

Even as shrapnel tore through his flesh, 1st Lt. Ralph Puckett stood unflinching, a colossus against the tide of war. His refusal to be evacuated wasn't just stubbornness but a testament to his iron will. As the battle raged, Puckett became the storm itself, braving the sniper's gaze not once but thrice, each time a deliberate challenge to fate.

The sixth wave of assault was a beast with no reins, and it overran Puckett’s command. Mortar rounds burst, turning his foxhole into a crucible of pain, yet his spirit remained unmarred. With wounds that whispered tales of future scars and possible loss, he remained the unwavering commander, reporting the dire straits even as his own body urged surrender.

But surrender was a word not found in Puckett’s lexicon. When his Rangers, fierce as iron, cut down the enemy mere yards away, Puckett’s command was not of gratitude but of sacrifice. “Leave me,” he insisted, a leader thinking not of himself but of his men’s safety.

The bottom of Hill 205 became a sanctuary of sorts, a brief respite in the storm. And there, despite the agony that racked his body, Puckett's mind was evident as the mountain air. He directed artillery with the precision of a maestro, turning the tide once more upon those who now held his hill.

This tale of 1st Lt. Ralph Puckett is not just one of courage; it's a saga of a warrior's heart, a narrative that echoes through the annals of military service, a legacy in the highest echelons of honor.