RALPH PUCKETT
Ralph Puckett formed, trained, and commanded the Eighth Army Ranger Company in Korea as a second and, later, first lieutenant. He earned the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions on November 25-26, 1950. Following the Korean War, Puckett served over two years in the U.S. Army Infantry School Ranger Department. As the first Ranger Advisor in the U.S. Army Mission to Colombia, he planned and established the Colombian Army Escuela de Lanceros (Ranger School). Later, he commanded “B” and “C” teams in the 10th Special Forces Group in Germany.
He was awarded a second Distinguished Service Cross in the Republic of Vietnam. Puckett’s other decorations and awards include two Silver Stars, three Legions of Merit, two Bronze Stars, the Commendation Medal, ten Air Medals, and five Purple Hearts. In 2001, he was awarded the United States Special Operations Command Medal for his outstanding contributions to Special Operations.
Puckett was a qualified Master Parachutist and Glider Trooper. He also earned the coveted U.S. Army Ranger Tab and the Lancero Badge from Colombia. He was a 1949 graduate of the United States Military Academy and had a Master’s Degree in Personnel Administration from George Washington University.
Retiring in 1971, he became the National Programs Coordinator of Outward Bound, Inc. He subsequently established Discovery, Inc., a leadership and teamwork development program that focused on “Personal Growth through Safe Adventure.”
He served as the Honorary Colonel of the 75th Ranger Regiment for 12 years and as an Honorary Instructor at The Infantry School. Other honors include induction into the USAF Gathering of Eagles, appointment as an Ambassador of Goodwill by the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation, selection as a Distinguished Graduate of the United States Military Academy, and selection as the Infantry’s Doughboy Award recipient.
He and his wife, the former Jean Martin, have two daughters, a son, and six grandchildren.
The official Lying in Honor for COL (Ret) Ralph Puckett, the last Korean Conflict MoH recipient, can be seen here. He is only the 45th person in U.S. history to Lie in Honor/State in the Capitol Rotunda.
