Ralph Puckett
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Ralph Puckett Jr. (born 8 December 1926 in Tifton, Georgia) led the 8th Army Ranger Company during the Korean War. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions on November 25, 1950, when his company of 71 Rangers defeated several battalions of Chinese forces at the battle for Hill 205.[1] He retired from the United States Army as a Colonel.
[edit] Military career
In 1949, Puckett graduated from the United States Military Academy, was commissioned as an infantry Second Lieutenant and immediately volunteered to be assigned with the Rangers. When he was informed that there were no more lieutenant positions in the 8th Army Ranger Company, he said that he would "take a squad leader's or rifleman's job"; positions several grades lower than a lieutenant's. Colonel McGee, who was in charge of forming the company, was so impressed by Puckett's attitude that he gave him the company commander's position; a position normally reserved for Captains.
On 11 October 1950, the 8th Army Ranger Company entered the Korean war. Puckett and his company became famous when they captured and held Hill 205, a strategic point overlooking the Chongchon River, against a much larger Chinese force.
[edit] Civilian life
Puckett was inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame in 1992. He was also named an honorary Colonel of the 75th Ranger Regiment in 1996.
[edit] References
- ^ Lock, John D. and Moore, Harold G. To Fight With Intrepidity: The Complete History of the U.S. Army Rangers 1622 to Present Fenestra Books, 2001 ISBN 1587360640
