Sgt. Henry Villarama/U.S. Army
(WASHINGTON) — On Nov. 25, 1950, then-1st Lt. Ralph Puckett Jr. drew enemy fire and exposed himself multiple times to danger to allow his Rangers to find and destroy enemy positions during a multi-wave attack that would leave him gravely injured and nearly cost him his right foot.
Now, more than 70 years later, President Joe Biden will award Puckett the Medal of Honor for “conspicuous gallantry during the Korean War” — the first time Biden will bestow the honor as president.
Puckett, 94, initially received a Distinguished Service Cross for his actions on “Hill 205,” as he led the 8th U.S. Army Ranger Company. But now, after an 18-year-effort led by John Lock, a retired Army officer, that award will be upgraded to the military’s highest honor.