VAntage Point
Memorial Day concert honors different Veterans, Gold Star families
Korean War Veterans
Army Veteran Cleveland Valrey was five years into his career when he combat jumped into Korea. He served with the 2nd Ranger Company (Airborne). The all-Black unit still existed four years after the services integrated.
Army Veteran Cleveland Valrey
Shortly after a battle with Chinese and North Korean Forces May 20, 1951, on Hill 581, Valrey received wounds from enemy action. He recovered in Japan, and continued serving until 1977.
Valrey said his unit, which sustained casualties during Korea, brings back great memories five decades later.
“We were all young and invincible, full of piss and vinegar,” the Texas native said. “Those were just wonderful days, in our youth. We could do anything. To reflect back then, it brings back some pain and some joy. I reflect back and wonder if they’re doing well, the ones I haven’t spoken to in decades. Those were wonderful days, ev
On May 21, 2021, President Joseph R. Biden, Jr., will award the Medal of Honor to Colonel Ralph Puckett, Jr., United States Army, Retired, for conspicuous gallantry during the Korean War. President Moon Jae-in of the Republic of Korea will join this ceremony.
Then-First Lieutenant Ralph Puckett, Jr. 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 November 25, and 26, 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.�
Puckett, who retired from the Army as a colonel in 1971 and became the national programs coordinator of Outward Bound Inc., continued to stay involved in the Ranger community in the following decades as an icon and mentor, earning induction into the U.S. Army Ranger Hall of Fame in 1992 and serving from 1996 to 2005 as the first Honorary Colonel of the 75th Ranger Regiment.
A statement released by the White House on Wednesday underscored Puckett s daring and heroism in Korea more than 70 years ago.
During a daylight attack on a rise called Hill 205 on Nov. 25, 1950, Puckett s 8th U.S. Army Ranger Company took incoming mortar, machine-gun and small-arms fire.
Army veteran from Georgia to receive Medal Of Honor
Published article
94-year-old Ralph Puckett will receive the Medal of Honor on Friday for bravery during the Korean War and decades of service. (Photo: U.S. Army)
WASHINGTON - A retired Korean War and Vietnam War veteran from Georgia is set to receive the Medal of Honor nearly 80 years after first enlisting in the U.S. Army.
President Joe Biden will present Col. Ralph Puckett, a Columbus, Georgia resident, with the Medal of Honor during a Friday ceremony with President Moon Jae-in of the Republic of Korea in attendance.
The White House said Puckett is deserving of the award for exhibiting heroism and selflessness in Korea, where he exposed himself to enemy fire multiple times to help his fellow Rangers launch a successful attack and continued to lead after he was wounded during an enemy counter-attack.
Biden to award Medal of Honor to Korean War veteran By Tori B. Powell How the Marines fought the Korean War s greatest battle
President Biden will award the prestigious Medal of Honor on Friday to retired Colonel Ralph Puckett Jr. for his conspicuous gallantry in the Korean War. The medal will be presented in a ceremony alongside South Korea s President Moon Jae-in, the White House announced Wednesday. Then-First Lieutenant Ralph Puckett, Jr. 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 November 25, and 26, 1950, in Korea, a statement from the White House read.