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 .