President Joe Biden presents the Medal of Honor to retired Army Col. Ralph Puckett Jr. for conspicuous gallantry during the Korean War, May 21, 2021. South Korean President Moon Jae-in is in attendance.

Transcript

Mhm. Yeah. Ladies and gentlemen, the President of the United States, accompanied by Medal of honor recipient. Colonel Ralph Puckett june Junior, United States Army Retired. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Mhm. Yeah, mm. Yeah. Yeah, mm. Mhm. Distinguished guests, Ladies and gentlemen, please join me as we mark this very special occasion in a word of prayer, Almighty God, the author of liberty, our sustainer protector and guide. Hear our prayer and bless this ceremony with your presence as we honor Colonel Ralph Pocket Junior, a courageous warrior, husband, father and friend Who for 70 years has led the way From his actions with the Rangers on Hill 205 while defending the freedom of the people of Korea. And throughout his life, ralph has continued to serve the army and ranger regiment as an example of leadership of character and commitment for others to follow. Lord thank you for Colonel Puckett, a servant leader whose actions exemplify the prestige, honor and high esprit de corps of the ranger regiment and the crucible of conflict. He selflessly put his comrades lives before his own today as he accepts our nation’s highest military honor for value. May his words of encouragement spoken to many over the years continue to ring true. Be proud but never satisfied Less. Ralph is loving and devoted wife of 68 years, Jean family, fellow rangers, comrades and others today in spirit. Lord let Ralph’s life legacy in this very metal that is placed around his neck, inspire us all in challenging times to lead the way. We thank you for the blessings of freedom and those who serve to preserve and defend it. It is in your majestic and mighty name. I pray amen. Good afternoon everyone and welcome to the White House President move. It’s a real honor to have you here participating in this ceremony today. The strength of the alliance between the United States Republican Korea was born of the courage, determination, sacrifice and of the Korean troops. Fighting shoulder to shoulder with American troops and having you here today is an important recognition of all that our nation has achieved together both of them in the decades since and I’m joined by my wife Jill who is excited about this invent as I am the vice president of the Second Gentlemen are here as well. Our Secretary of Defense, Vice Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff, the officials of the United States Army as well as several members of Congress, Representative Ferguson, Representative Crow and Senator Ernst because today we are hosting a true American hero and awarding and honor that is long overdue, More than 70 years overdue 70 years ago on a frozen hilltop deep in what is now North Korea, A young first Lieutenant bravely out of West Point and barely out of West Point act with bravery and that earned him the Distinguished Service Cross, the military second highest honor today. After more than a decade of effort, including support from my good friend john McCain, god rest his soul. Shortly before he passed away, I’m incredibly proud to give Colonel ralph buckets act of valor the full recognition they have always deserved. Colonel. I’m humbled to have you here today. I really am along with your loving family and to award you the Medal of Honor. And though I understand that your first response to us hosting this event was to ask why all the fuss? Yeah, why all the fuss can’t they just mail it to me? I was going to make a joke about the post office, but it’s not to do that. Mhm. Colonel Puckett, After 70 years rather than mail it to you. I would have walked it to you. You know, your lifetime of service to our nation as I think deserves a little bit of fuss. A little bit of fuss. You know, when I called to tell the colonel that I had approved this award, I also spoke to Jeannie, excuse me for using your first name. That was my mom’s name too. And you’re my mom in the same eyes, although you’re much too young to be my and They’ve been married for 68 years. We have something else and we have one thing in common. We both married way up, both married way up. That’s exactly right. Well, Jeannie and ralph actually met while he was recovering from his wounds. They were married two years to the day after the battle that we’re recognizing him today for his bravery. By the way, y’all can sit down. I think it just dawned on me. I understand why you’re standing. I’d be standing too. But Jeannie, it’s wonderful to welcome. I mean, that from the bottom of my heart Jill and I know firsthand, but it’s not just the person who wears the uniform who serves military families make enormous sacrifices for our nation. So let me add our thanks to you and your life of service as well. I told you earlier, that expression by the poet, they also stand only. They also serve only stand and wait and you wait a long, long time and many, many, many circumstances. And that goes to the entire family, Marty and her husband, Anthony, Thomas and partnership. I don’t know where they’re here. I didn’t see them yet. And I know the other daughter, Jeannie isn’t with us anymore. Just like I wish our son Beau were able to be here to see this. He’s not with us either. She’s sharing spirit and represented by her family And I know she’s always in your heart Colonel and never leaves. I also want to recognize Master Sergeant, Merrill Simpson who fought beside the colonel and Korea. Where are you going? Stand up sir. Come in. Yeah, mm hmm. Who made the trip to Washington day to represent all of their fallen brothers From the 8th Army Ranger Company. It’s an honor. It’s an honor for all their memories as well. Hill to five. We’re just 60 miles from the border with China and then Lieutenant it. And the rangers had their orders to take that hill as a young officer. Lieutenant Puckett knew that something wasn’t quite right. The intelligence briefing indicated that there were 25,000 Chinese troops in the area. Out. Bring Us and Korean Forces. 2 – three. Our Show Me 3 : two. Well, it’s in the pocket though. The numbers thought the numbers for the attack didn’t align with the basic military doctrine. Lieutenant believed in the fundamentals. It was how he trained his men and how he’d hand picked them. Chosen from the ranks of cooks and clerks and mechanics to the first ranger company since World War two. Physical conditioning, tactical training, working as a team, get the basics right then build from there. Lieutenant Puckett also believed in being there for the flight. He volunteered for the Army Corps, enlisted reserve to try to join uh, to fight in World War Two. He volunteered to go to Korea and instead of the safer posting in Japan, you volunteer for the new ranger company. And then he prayed, Dear God, don’t let me get a bunch of guys, good guys killed when he was chosen to command that company. So, on the morning of November 25, 1950 mounted on the decks of the tanks, 51 of Puckett’s Rangers and nine Korean enlisted soldiers set out to take hill to five to make their charge. They had to cross about a half a mile of frozen rice paddies under fire. And when the any machine gunners slowed the rangers advance pocket risked his life by running across across the area to draw fire that would reveal with the location of the nest. He did it once he did it again, it took three runs intentionally exposing himself to the enemy to pick off the gunner. Of course, Colonel Puckett had developed a dangerous hobby as he recounted in his book of challenging himself to run in front of speeding cars when he was four years old. Yeah, so self preservation, it seemed, was never a primary concern of the current. When the rangers finally reached the top of hill to five, they found it abandoned, Puckett knew the fight wasn’t nearly over his men establish a defensive perimeter and then went to coordinate the artillery support he was sure they would need and while he was there to load up the ammunition on ammunition and grenades, the basics Shortly after returned 1st, Onslaught began mortars followed by a ground assault from the entire Chinese battalion. Puckett Buckets. Rangers are outnumbered almost 10-1 during the fight.! It abandoned the relative safety of his foxhole. Moving from man to man, encouraged them in the fight, checking that the perimeter was holding, he took a grenade fragment in his left thigh but Puckett refused to be evacuated. It was a ranger. He led his men from the front and over the course of the next several hours, four more ways of assaults came. Each time Puckett made his rounds passing out extra ammo and extra encouragement to rally his men. Each time he was able to call in artillery support, sometimes danger close to help break the advance of the Chinese soldiers. Each time the rangers held the hill, pushing any back at times with hand to hand fighting About about 2:30. AM. After more than four hours of near nonstop fighting, the 6th wave began. By this time, the rangers had many rangers have been killed and those who were left were exhausted, outnumbered and dangerously short of dangerously short of ammunition and grenades. Lieutenant has sustained the second wound. This time is left shoulder. He had distributed all the ammo to his men, keeping only eight bullets and a bayonet for himself. For the last time Puckett called in artillery support only to be told that the guns were supporting other besieged units. Then two mortar rounds landed directly in Puckett’s Foxhole, tearing through both his feet and his backside and his left arm and shoulder. Puckett’s rangers have been overwhelmed and he himself was badly wounded. He ordered ordered one of his men find him on the ground to leave him behind. But that’s not. The ranger creed private ran for help and soon to other rangers charged back up the hill, fighting off advancing Chinese soldiers retrieving their commander. They had to drag him down the hill with Lieutenant Puckett reminding them and himself that he could take the pain. Quote, I’m a ranger before his men loaded him in on a tank to evacuate the tenant bucket call for one final barrage on Hill 205 And the 8th Army unloaded artillery while phosphorus on the rangers form and phosphorus phosphorus on the rangers former position, they did not hold the hill. But the rangers extracted a high price Korea. It is sometimes called the Forgotten War. But those men who were there under Lieutenant command, they’ll never forget his bravery. They never forget that he was right by their side throughout every minute of. And the people of the Republic career hadn’t forgotten, as evidenced by the fact that the prime minister of Korea is here for this ceremony. I doubt with this has ever happened before. I can’t say that for certain, but I doubt that’s happened before. The Americans. All Americans like ralph Puckett joined in their fight. And while the enduring partnership between our two nations began a war, it flourished through peace. It’s it’s testament I think of the extraordinary strength of our alliance. And we’re joined today, as I said by President Moon with, I can’t tell you how happy I am he’s able to be here. And if I may I’d like to invite President Moon to say a few words if that is okay. President Moon. Bye. But I don’t get the image function at all. Right Pocket. Yeah. Then you get some cash they gave him jang. Soon as you get the congressman Mr President, thank you for your words. I find it truly meaningful to join the Medal of Honor presentation ceremony for carnal ralph Pocket Junior U. S. Army retired upon president biden’s invitation. I learned that I’m the first foreign leader to ever attend the ceremony of such kind as President of the republic of Korea. It is a great honor and pleasure hunger in January. The only man you’re wrong all the time. So try taking a leadership role in murder one. You think it’s absolutely system. Cardinal Pocket is a true hero of the Korean war with extraordinary Balor and leadership. He completed missions until the very end defending Hill two of five and fighting many more battles requiring equal values without the sacrifice of veterans including carnal pocket and the Eighth Army Range company, freedom and democracy we enjoy today couldn’t have blossomed in Korea. Cook in a car. Jiangxi hunger gone critics and media hunger gun gen, January periods of Yeah, she uh huh. Think about how you’re gonna get your Children. Uh you will jump alongside the very good humor Hung Gle glenn, who is that under the general legal system earlier? Uh Carnal Pocket told me that when he was in Korea during the Korean war, it was absolutely destroyed. That was true. But from the ashes of the korean war re rose, we came back and that was thanks to the korean war veterans who fought for Korea’s peace and freedom and now thanks to their support and efforts, we are enjoying prosperity. Hang up your your keeping comes our problem with that. Hang on. How you are. Video on segregation, missionary person without. Are you actually saying you’re only joking on behalf of the korean people? I express deep gratitude and respect to them through the war veterans. The korean people saw a great soul of America that marches toward freedom and peace. Their acts of gallantry, sacrifice and friendship will forever be remembered. You should message in mainland action. Tricky. There was something that right books that they don’t even go Yeah, uh huh Comes on the rock. Us alliance forged in blood of heroes has become a linchpin of peace and prosperity on the korean peninsula and beyond carnal packet and his fellow warriors are linked the strongly biased Korea and the US together. I pray that they stayed with us in good health for a long time. Thank you very much. Uh huh. Mhm. Well thank you. President Moon. Now I’d be remiss if I didn’t know that ralph Puckett service to our nation did not end in the pre war, it did not end after service in the Vietnam War. We’re here in a second Distinguished Service Cross two silver stars, two brown stars with V. For valor. And add to that during his service, five purple hearts for injuries suffered in combat. It didn’t end after his retirement from active duty or his induction into the ranger Hall of Fame. It didn’t end there either When he served as the honorary colonel for the 75th Ranger Regiment where he helped new generation of rangers during their training missions. Even now, even now you can find him out at Fort Benning, cheering on the rangers and let him know he’s there with him. Over his career, he mentored countless young people. He’s always believed that’s all that mattered to be a ranger was. You had the guts and the brains that the standard he applied when he picked his first ranger unit in Korea in an army that only recently been integrated. He chose with his team included a black, a latino and asian american members. My mother would say, God love you man. In 2015 during the Obama Biden administration and the military is considering open all combat positions to women, including rangers colonel. it! Let it be known that he thought women could meet the standards and said, I want to see them do it. He leads to the front, He leads by example. He leads with his heart, he’s a ranger and that’s how rangers lead. That’s how you lead. So now it is my great honor to ask for the citation to be read and to award Colonel Puckett Junior. Ralph Puckett junior with the Medal of Honor. The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, March 3rd 18 63. Has awarded in the name of Congress the Medal of Honor to First Lieutenant Ralph Pocket Junior, United States Army for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. First Lieutenant Ralph Puckett Junior distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty while serving as the commander, eighth U. S. Army ranger company during the period of 25 november 1953 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 fire. First Lieutenant Pocket mounted the closest tank, exposing himself to the deadly enemy fire leaping from the tank, he shouted words of encouragement to his men began to leave 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 froze. 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 counter attack 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 Pocket. As a result, five human wave attacks by a battalion strength enemy enemy element were repulsed during the first attack. First Lieutenant Pocket was wounded by grenade fragments, but refused evacuation and continually directed artillery support the decimated attacking enemy formations. He repeatedly abandoned positions a relative safety to make his way from foxhole to foxhole to check the company’s perimeter and to distribute ammunition amongst the rangers. When the enemy launched a 6th attack, it became clear to first lieutenant pocket that the position was untenable due to the unavailability of supporting artillery fire. During this attack to enemy mortar rounds landed in his foxhole, inflicting grievous wounds which limited his mobility knowing his men were in a precarious situation. First Lieutenant Pocket 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 stage an effort to retrieve him from the fox hole will still under fire from the enemy. Ultimately, the rangers succeeded in retrieving First Lieutenant Pocket and they moved to the bottom of the hill were First Lieutenant. First Lieutenant Pocket called for devastating artillery fire on the child with the enemy controlled hill. First Lieutenant pockets 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 in the United States Army. Mhm. Let me invite the family up. Come on, get the family up here, all of it, including the grandkids for mm Right. Special Black. Right. Yeah. Mr President. You mind? Yeah. Yeah. Wait. All right, Billy, come on over. Mhm. People here? Yeah. Okay, something like that. Mm. That’s a good thing. They could have prevented them. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you appreciate that. Mm You guys. Okay. Okay well ladies and gentlemen louise Join me as we conclude today’s ceremony would offer girl pocket maybe 94 but I see the same horrific determination of the young in your body investiture. Please join me in prayer. Most Holy God as we leave this ceremony, inspire and encourage us to greater acts of service to our nation and armies. People give us the fortitude to always give 100 and then some may you bless Colonel Ralph Puckett Jr as he joins the pantheon of heroes who have distinguished themselves through selfless acts of bravery. Pay his leadership and legacy. Be away point for us to follow. Keep us all strong in spirit and give our leaders wisdom as they serve our nation’s people, bless and protect our armed forces as they preserve our precious freedoms. Keep the lamp of liberty burning bright on the United States of America. Our allies around the world as well. I ask these things in your most blessed and holy name. Amen military protocol. But come on and say, yeah, the vice president stand. Where am I talking about? Vice president? We don’t fall well, I bought it. Great. Okay. Thanks man. Thank you. Hey Laura Warrior himself and agreed to the Secretary of Defense. Yeah, come on, get up. But you two guys again. You may start with a Oh mom. Come on. Get that picture. Maybe if there’s time walk out that maybe maybe the generals may come back to the state high. All right, okay. All right. We came down here.