Ralph Puckett Jr., army colonel awarded Medal of Honor for heroism during Korean War, dies at 97

Ralph Puckett Jr., a retired Army colonel awarded the Medal of Honor seven decades after he was wounded leading a company of outnumbered Army Rangers in battle during the Korean War, has died at age 97. Puckett died peacefully Monday at his home in Columbus, Georgia, according to the Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, which is handling funeral arrangements. President Biden in May 2021 awarded the first Medal of Honor of his presidency to Puckett for his “conspicuous gallantry” during the war. Mr. Biden presented the medal, which is the nation’s highest military honor, alongside then South Korean President Moon Jae-in. “President Moon,…