Born in Tifton, Georgia, Ralph Puckett, Jr., graduated from West Point in 1949 and was commissioned Infantry. Assigned to occupation duty in Okinawa, he volunteered, instead, for the newly-conceived Eighth Army Ranger Company that was being formed shortly after the Korean Conflict began in 1950.
Selected as the Ranger Company’s commander, 1st Lt. Puckett had five and a half weeks to devise a training regimen and forge his non infantry Soldiers into disciplined Rangers before being committed to combat operations. While attached to Task Force Dolvin and leading the advance of the 25th Infantry Division on November 25, 1950, 1st Lt. Puckett and his Rangers attacked and secured Hill 205, near the Chongch’on River and only 60 miles from the border of China. Though outnumbered ten to one, the twice wounded 1st Lt. Puckett and his Rangers defeated five successive Chinese human wave counterattacks over four hours that night and into the early morning hours of November 26. Finally, on the sixth assault, with supporting artillery fires unavailable, the Ranger company was overrun in close-quarters, hand-to-hand combat. Having suffered additional debilitating wounds, 1st Lt. Puckett was left unable to move. Despite multiple orders to abandon him, fellow Rangers fought their way to his side and evacuated him to safety. For his actions during the Battle of Hill 205, 1st Lt. Puckett received the Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) which was later upgraded to the Medal of Honor and awarded in a White House ceremony more than 70 years later on May 21, 2021.
Though offered a medical discharge for his wounds, 1st Lt. Puckett refused and continued to serve on active duty as a combat arms officer at assignments that included the U.S. Army Ranger School and the United States Military Academy, West Point. As a Ranger Advisor to Columbia, Captain Puckett established the prestigious Escuela de Lanceros program. Later, after completing Special Forces training in 1960, Major Puckett commanded ‘B’ and ‘C’ teams in 10th Special Forces Group in Bad Tolz, Germany.
“He feared no man, he feared no situation and he feared no enemy. Clearly a unique, courageous Soldier in combat and even more importantly, in my opinion, Col. Puckett was an ultimate Infantry leader.”
Retired General Jay Hendrix
In 1967, Lieutenant Colonel Puckett volunteered for a combat tour in Vietnam where he served as the commander of the 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment (Airborne), 101st Airborne Division. Assigned the moniker, “Ranger,” Lt. Col. Puckett would personally lead his Soldiers in combat, appearing when and where they needed him most. For his valor, Lt. Col. Puckett would receive another DSC and two Silver Stars.
Retiring from active duty in 1971, Colonel Puckett became the National Programs Coordinator of Outward Bound, Inc., and subsequently established Discovery, Inc., a leadership and teamwork development program that focused on “Personal Growth through Safe Adventure.” In 1992, he was an inaugural inductee into the U.S. Army Ranger Hall of Fame and, from 1996 to 2008, he served as the first Honorary Colonel of the 75th Ranger Regiment. Other honors followed to include an appointment as an Ambassador of Goodwill by the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation, selection as a 2004 Distinguished Graduate of the United States Military Academy, and a 2007 recipient of the Infantry’s Doughboy Award.
Still very active in military affairs and his local community, Colonel Puckett lives in Columbus, GA., with his bride of 68 years, the former Jean Martin. They have two daughters, one of whom is deceased, a son and six grandchildren.
Colonel Puckett’s awards include the Medal of Honor, the Distinguished Service Cross, two Silver Stars, three Legions of Merit, two Bronze Stars with V device for valor, five Purple Hearts, ten Air Medals, the Army Commendation Medal and the World War II Victory Medal, among others. In addition, he has the Combat Infantryman’s Badge with star, Special Forces Tab, Ranger Tab, Master Parachutist Wings, Glider Badge and Columbian Lancero Ranger Badge.
"Col. Puckett receiving his second Distinguished Service Cross from President Lyndon B. Johnson “To the family of Col. Ralph Puckett Jr. – Who distinguished himself in very exceptional service to his country – a proud son of Georgia – a great national patriot.” (Photo courtesy of the Puckett Family)"
