The remains of Col. Ralph Paquette Jr., the last surviving Korean War Medal of Honor recipient, were laid to rest Monday in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda.
Puckett Jr. was born on December 8, 1926 and died at his home on Monday, April 8. He passed away at the age of 97.
House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced Tuesday, April 16, that Congress will honor the fallen Medal of Honor with a prestigious reception.
“Col. Ralph Puckett Jr.’s extraordinary courage represents the finest of the 1.7 million Americans who left their homeland to fight for freedom in the Korean War,” the two senators said in a joint statement. said. “He demonstrated tireless sacrifice for our country and his fellow Rangers, and is an extraordinary example for military and civilian alike. Col. Puckett’s incredible heroism and service, and all of the Korean War It is our honor to allow his remains to be displayed to honor the service of our veterans.” They will lie in honor in the Capitol Rotunda.” ”
An honor guard salutes an urn containing the cremated remains of retired Army Col. Ralph Puckett Jr. during a Congressional memorial in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol on April 29, 2024, in Washington, DC. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
The last surviving Medal of Honor recipient from the Korean War is laid to rest in the U.S. Capitol.
Members of Congress and Paquette’s family surrounded the urn, which rests in the heart of the Capitol’s venerated Rotunda.
Puckett Jr. was from Tifton, Georgia. He graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point and was commissioned as an infantry officer in 1949, where he had an honorable career.
In 2021, President Biden awarded the Medal of Honor to 94-year-old retired Army Col. Ralph Puckett Jr. for his outstanding bravery during the Korean War. Puckett Jr. died at his home on Monday, April 8th. (Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images)
An honor guard carrying the urn of the late Col. Ralph Puckett arrives at the U.S. Capitol and lies in honor in the Rotunda, April 29, 2024, in Washington, D.C. He was a veteran of the Korean War before his passing earlier this month. (GREG NASH/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
“He leads from the front. He leads by example. He leads from the heart. He’s a Ranger, and that’s how Rangers lead,” President Biden said at a White House ceremony on May 21, 2021. That is your method of instruction.” He awarded Puckett Jr. the Medal of Honor. The retired Army colonel was 94 years old at the time.
Col. Ralph Puckett, Korean War hero and Medal of Honor recipient, dies at 97
Puckett Jr. served as a U.S. Army Ranger and served in the 1950 Korean War and 1967 Vietnam War.
Puckett Jr. served as a U.S. Army Ranger and served in the 1950 Korean War and the 1967 Vietnam War. (U.S. Army/Paquette family)
During his 22 years of service, Puckett Jr. received two Silver Stars, two Legions of Merit, two Bronze Stars with V Devices for Valor, five Purple Hearts, and other honors. (U.S. Army/Paquette family)
During his 22 years of service, he received two Silver Stars, two Legion of Merit Medals, two Bronze Stars with V Device for Valor, five Purple Hearts, ten Air Medals, an Army Commendation Medal, and a Second He received the World War Victory Medal and other awards. , according to the Army.
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An honor guard carries an urn containing the cremated remains of retired Army Col. Ralph Puckett Jr. during the Congressional memorial service in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda on April 29, 2024, in Washington, DC. (J. Scott Applewhite – Pool/Getty Images)
Government officials and military personnel typically lie in public at the U.S. Capitol, while civilians lie in honor, according to the Capitol’s architect.
“There are no laws, statutory rules, or regulations governing who can lie in national affairs. Use of the Capitol Rotunda is governed by simultaneous action of the House of Representatives and the Senate of the State. “People who have made a mark on the United States can lie in national politics if they have family members,” the website states.
