The last living Medal of Honor recipient from the Korean War, Ralph Puckett Jr., died on Monday in his sleep at the age of 97. According to Military Times, President Joe Biden awarded Puckett with the Medal of Honor in 2021, to commemorate his 70+ years of heroism and selfless service. He is one of 147 other recipients from the Korean War.
In 1950, Puckett was a lieutenant in 1950 when he led 51 Army Rangers and 9 Korean troops across frozen fields to capture a key position on a hill overlooking the Ch’ongch’on River. During that charge, he was exposed to enemy fire on multiple occasions. When he was hit by shrapnel, he ordered his men to leave him behind and find safer ground, but they refused to leave him. They were able to evacuate him in time before their positions were destroyed.
He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions, but several of those he led and other colleagues vouched for his honor to be upgraded. In 2021, their efforts paid off when President Biden awarded Puckett with the Medal of Honor. Puckett retired as a Colonel after 22 years of Army service with two Silver Stars.
After Puckett, there are only 62 living Medal of Honor recipients left. Sixty-two out of 3,536 total recipients. That means there are 3,536 distinguished stories of sacrifice, selflessness, and courage in this country that must be told to younger generations, among many thousands of others which carry those same qualities. Unfortunately, many of these service members and their stories have already faded from public memory. That's not how we should be saying "thank you" for their service.
I cannot emphasize enough the sheer importance of sharing these stories. If the young people of this country do not keep the legacies of the fallen alive, their stories will be gone for good.
As Americans, we have an inherent obligation to those who have fought for the country.
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