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Medal of Honor Ceremony
The White House
19 - 22 May 2021

The nation's highest military award for valor is the Medal of Honor, presented by the president in Congress' name. By law, only U.S. service members who distinguish themselves “through conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty” can receive the medal.

Seventy one years after The Battle of Hill 205 and following an 18-year effort to have his Korean Conflict Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) upgraded, COL Ralph Puckett, Jr., was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Joe Biden in a White House ceremony. 

 

At the age of 94, The Ranger became THE oldest living recipient to receive such an honor.  In addition, the COL's ceremony is arguably the most unique of all:  (1) with TWO presidents ... POTUS & ROK ... in attendance and speaking, and (2) President Biden's remarks went will beyond the normal recitation of the recipient's Medal actions, highlighting the COL's additionally significant, post MoH contributions in Vietnam (a DSC, two Silver Stars & two Purple Hearts) and twelve years service (in a two year term) as the Honorary Colonel of the 75th Ranger Regiment for seven Regimental Commanders ... mentoring hundreds, if not thousands, of Rangers and Soldiers, as well as dozens of the Army's future senior NCOs and general officers.  ​

As an aside - to note a surreal moment for this once 17 year old PV1.  My wife, Judy, and I found ourselves seated on the center aisle behind the ROK president ... with seats better than many other senior representatives, to include SecDef :)  The teleprompter POTUS was reading from was located directly behind my right shoulder ... which led to President Biden essentially looking directly at me as he read MY words (I wrote his remarks - though the NSC speech writer did make a few obligatory edits) back 'to me.'  Not too shabby given it was the very first speech I've ever written for anyone.

2021 05 20 The Pentagon & Media Day

2021 05 21 White House Ceremony

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