The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) Ralph Puckett, Jr. (ASN: 0-59165), United States Army, for gallantry in action against a hostile force on 27 September 1967, near Chu Lai, Republic of Vietnam. During the hours of darkness on that evening, a small enemy element infiltrated the defensive perimeter of the Tactical Command Post, 2d Battalion (Airborne), 502d Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, and initiated an attack with grenades and automatic weapons fire. In the initial stage of the attack, a hand grenade landed approximately eighteen inches from Colonel Puckett’s head and exploded, wounding him in the head and seriously affecting his hearing. Dazed and bleeding, Colonel Puckett staggered to his feet and, without hesitation, rushed into the raging battle and immediately began to reorganize the defensive perimeter. With complete disregard for his own safety, Colonel Puckett rushed through the withering hail of enemy grenades and automatic weapons fire and moved from position to position giving his men encouragement and directing their fire. Throughout the remainder of the night Colonel Puckett completely disregarded his wounds and personal safety as he directed all aspects of the defense of the Tactical Command Post and an artillery battery. When MEDEVAC helicopters arrived, Colonel Puckett supervised the evacuation of his wounded men and refused evacuation until his men had been cared for and the situation had returned to normal. The actions of Colonel Puckett undoubtedly inspired his men to such a degree that they successfully defended their positions and forced the enemy to withdraw. Lieutenant Colonel Puckett’s outstanding display of gallantry in action and his devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the Americal Division and the United States Army.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Legion of Merit
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Legion of Merit
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Legion of Merit
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Silver Star
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Distinguished Service Cross
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Medal of Honor
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Legion of Merit
United States Military Academy Register of GraduatesThe President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Legion of Merit to Colonel (Infantry) Ralph Puckett, Jr. (ASN: 0-59165), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding Officer, 2d Brigade, 5th Infantry Division, from 1970 to 1971. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Puckett culminate a long and distinguished career in the service of his country and his dedicated contributions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army.
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Legion of Merit
United States Military Academy Register of GraduatesThe President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit to Colonel (Infantry) Ralph Puckett, Jr. (ASN: 0-59165), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding Officer, 1st Regiment, United States Corps of Cadets, from 1968 to 1970. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Puckett and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Army.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry)Batallion:
2d Battalion (Airborne)Regiment:
502d Infantry Regiment, 1st BrigadeDivision:
101st Airborne DivisionAction Date:
1967 – 1968
United States Military Academy Register of GraduatesThe President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) Ralph Puckett, Jr. (ASN: 0-59165), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding Officer, 2d Battalion (Airborne), 502d Infantry Regiment, Americal Division from 1967 to 1968. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Puckett and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Army.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry)Batallion:
2d Battalion (Airborne)Regiment:
502d Infantry Regiment, 1st BrigadeDivision:
101st Airborne DivisionAction Date:
August 26, 1967
Headquarters, Americal Division, General Orders No. 1522 (December 2, 1967)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) Ralph Puckett, Jr. (ASN: 0-59165), United States Army, for gallantry in action against a hostile force on 26 August 1967, in the Republic of Vietnam while serving with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2d Battalion (Airborne), 502d Infantry Regiment, Americal Division. Lieutenant Colonel Puckett, in a Command and Control Helicopter, volunteered to go into an insecure, embattled landing zone to evacuate a critically wounded man where medical helicopters could not land. Despite a severe thunder storm and intense hostile fire being directed at the helicopter, Colonel Puckett, with no regard for his own safety, went into the landing zone. While there, he realized that unless something was done immediately, the company was in great danger of being overrun. After successfully evacuating the wounded man, Colonel Puckett returned to the battle area in his helicopter with a cargo of much-needed ammunition. Later in the afternoon when more casualties were sustained and medical helicopters could not get into the area, Colonel Puckett again went into the landing zone with his Command and Control Helicopter and evacuated the dead and wounded. Colonel Puckett’s disregard for his own safety while exposed to hostile fire, his unselfish concern for his men, and his valorous acts inspired his men to such a degree that they successfully repelled an enemy of superior number. Lieutenant Colonel Puckett’s unquestionable valor was in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the Americal Division, and the United States Army.
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Distinguished Service Cross
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry)Batallion:
2d Battalion (Airborne)Regiment:
502d Airborne Infantry Regiment, 1st BrigadeDivision:
101st Airborne DivisionAction Date:
August 13, 1967
Headquarters, U.S. Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 6075 (November 24, 1967)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) Ralph Puckett, Jr. (ASN: 0-59165), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2d Battalion (Airborne), 502d Infantry, 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division. Lieutenant Colonel Puckett distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 13 August 1967 while serving as Commanding Officer of an airborne infantry battalion on combat operations near Duc Pho. Shortly after elements of his unit were heavily engaged by a hostile battalion, Colonel Puckett landed in the battle zone to coordinate defenses and to assess the battlefield situation. Disregarding his own safety, he moved across a heavily mined area to the point of the most ferocious fighting to direct and inspire his men against the hostile force. Other elements were savagely attacked with intense mortar fire, so he decentralized the command post to reduce the chance of entire command element being hit. To do this, he personally occupied a foxhole position. He exposed himself to withering fire throughout the night to visit the men in their positions and to encourage and inspire them with his personal bravery and firm determination to overcome the overwhelming onslaught of the fanatical force. He heard cries for help during an intense mortar barrage later that night and dashed through a hail of flying shrapnel to give aid. He personally carried the two wounded soldiers back to safety and used his skill and experience as a truly professional soldier to treat their wounds. When rescue helicopters came in, he repeatedly refused extraction for himself and directed that the casualties be evacuated. With bullets striking all around him, he remained in the open to rally his fatigued men through the long night by sharing every phase of the battle with them. His fearless leadership and aggressive, determined actions in the face of grave danger inspired his men to fight furiously throughout the night and obtain a decisive victory over the numerically superior Viet Cong attackers. Lieutenant Colonel Puckett’s extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
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Medal of Honor
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
First Lieutenant (Infantry)Regiment:
8213th Army UnitDivision:
8th U.S. ArmyAction Date:
November 25 & 26, 1950
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Ralph Puckett, Jr. (ASN: 0-59165), United States Army. First Lieutenant Puckett distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty, while serving as the Commander, 8th U.S. Army Ranger Company during the period of 25 November 1950 through 26 November 1950, in Korea. As his unit commenced a daylight attack on Hill 205, the enemy directed mortar, machine gun, and small arms fire against the advancing force. To obtain supporting fire, First Lieutenant Puckett mounted the closest tank, exposing himself to the deadly enemy fire. Leaping from the tank, he shouted words of encouragement to his men and began to lead the Rangers in the attack. Almost immediately, enemy fire threatened the success of the attack by pinning down one platoon. Leaving the safety of his position with full knowledge of the danger, First Lieutenant Puckett intentionally ran across an open area three times to draw enemy fire, thereby allowing the Rangers to locate and destroy the enemy positions and to seize Hill 205. During the night, the enemy launched a counterattack that lasted four hours. Over the course of the counterattack, the Rangers were inspired and motivated by the extraordinary leadership and courageous example exhibited by First Lieutenant Puckett. As a result, five human wave attacks by a battalion strength enemy element were repulsed. During the first attack, First Lieutenant Puckett was wounded by grenade fragments, but refused evacuation and continually directed artillery support that decimated attacking enemy formations, repeatedly abandoned positions of relative safety to make his way from foxhole to foxhole to check the company’s perimeter, and distribute ammunition amongst the Rangers. When the enemy launched a sixth attack, it became clear to First Lieutenant Puckett that the position was untenable due to the unavailability of supporting artillery fire. During this attack, two enemy mortar rounds landed in his foxhole, inflicting grievous wounds which limited his mobility. Knowing his men were in a precarious situation, First Lieutenant Puckett commanded the Rangers to leave him behind and evacuate the area. Feeling a sense of duty to aid him, the Rangers refused the order and staged an effort to retrieve him from the foxhole while still under fire from the enemy. Ultimately, the Rangers succeeded in retrieving First Lieutenant Puckett and they moved to the bottom of the hill, where First Lieutenant Puckett called for devastating artillery fire on the top of the enemy controlled hill. First Lieutenant Puckett’s extraordinary heroism and selflessness above and beyond the call of duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.