WEBVTT 00:00.340 --> 00:00.760 Mhm . 00:08.540 --> 00:12.510 Yeah . Ladies and gentlemen , the 00:12.510 --> 00:14.440 President of the United States , 00:14.450 --> 00:17.600 accompanied by Medal of honor recipient . 00:17.610 --> 00:20.360 Colonel Ralph Puckett june Junior , 00:20.370 --> 00:22.660 United States Army Retired . 00:36.440 --> 00:39.540 Yeah . Yeah . Yeah . 00:46.940 --> 00:47.450 Mhm . 01:02.540 --> 01:05.650 Yeah , mm . 01:10.240 --> 01:11.240 Yeah . 01:21.540 --> 01:25.160 Yeah , mm . 01:26.240 --> 01:30.110 Mhm . Distinguished 01:30.120 --> 01:32.450 guests , Ladies and gentlemen , please 01:32.450 --> 01:34.530 join me as we mark this very special 01:34.530 --> 01:37.870 occasion in a word of prayer , Almighty 01:37.870 --> 01:41.120 God , the author of liberty , our 01:41.120 --> 01:44.340 sustainer protector and guide . Hear 01:44.340 --> 01:46.940 our prayer and bless this ceremony with 01:46.940 --> 01:49.590 your presence as we honor Colonel Ralph 01:49.590 --> 01:52.220 Pocket Junior , a courageous warrior , 01:52.230 --> 01:56.020 husband , father and friend Who for 70 01:56.020 --> 01:59.040 years has led the way From his actions 01:59.040 --> 02:01.740 with the Rangers on Hill 205 while 02:01.740 --> 02:03.907 defending the freedom of the people of 02:03.907 --> 02:06.790 Korea . And throughout his life , ralph 02:06.790 --> 02:08.790 has continued to serve the army and 02:08.790 --> 02:10.920 ranger regiment as an example of 02:10.920 --> 02:13.890 leadership of character and commitment 02:13.900 --> 02:16.400 for others to follow . Lord thank you 02:16.400 --> 02:18.567 for Colonel Puckett , a servant leader 02:18.567 --> 02:21.260 whose actions exemplify the prestige , 02:21.270 --> 02:23.860 honor and high esprit de corps of the 02:23.860 --> 02:26.310 ranger regiment and the crucible of 02:26.310 --> 02:29.010 conflict . He selflessly put his 02:29.010 --> 02:32.640 comrades lives before his own today as 02:32.640 --> 02:34.418 he accepts our nation's highest 02:34.418 --> 02:37.040 military honor for value . May his 02:37.040 --> 02:39.480 words of encouragement spoken to many 02:39.480 --> 02:41.647 over the years continue to ring true . 02:42.240 --> 02:46.190 Be proud but never satisfied Less . 02:46.190 --> 02:49.820 Ralph is loving and devoted wife of 68 02:49.820 --> 02:52.690 years , Jean family , fellow rangers , 02:52.690 --> 02:55.060 comrades and others today in spirit . 02:55.840 --> 02:58.380 Lord let ralph's life legacy in this 02:58.380 --> 03:00.560 very metal that is placed around his 03:00.560 --> 03:02.616 neck , inspire us all in challenging 03:02.616 --> 03:05.800 times to lead the way . We thank you 03:05.800 --> 03:08.030 for the blessings of freedom and those 03:08.030 --> 03:10.141 who serve to preserve and defend it . 03:10.310 --> 03:12.588 It is in your majestic and mighty name . 03:12.588 --> 03:13.850 I pray amen . 03:25.340 --> 03:27.840 Good afternoon everyone and welcome to 03:27.840 --> 03:31.570 the White House President move . It's 03:31.570 --> 03:33.580 a real honor to have you here 03:33.580 --> 03:35.747 participating in this ceremony today . 03:36.340 --> 03:38.396 The strength of the alliance between 03:38.396 --> 03:40.562 the United States Republican Korea was 03:40.562 --> 03:43.380 born of the courage , determination , 03:43.380 --> 03:46.690 sacrifice and of the korean troops . 03:46.690 --> 03:48.634 Fighting shoulder to shoulder with 03:48.634 --> 03:50.860 american troops and having you here 03:50.860 --> 03:52.916 today is an important recognition of 03:52.916 --> 03:54.749 all that our nation has achieved 03:54.749 --> 03:56.950 together both of them in the decades 03:56.950 --> 04:00.250 since and I'm joined by my wife Jill 04:00.250 --> 04:02.361 who is excited about this invent as I 04:02.361 --> 04:05.130 am the vice president of the Second 04:05.130 --> 04:07.050 Gentlemen are here as well . Our 04:07.050 --> 04:09.540 Secretary of Defense , Vice Chairman , 04:09.550 --> 04:11.661 Joint Chiefs of Staff , the officials 04:11.661 --> 04:13.717 of the United States Army as well as 04:13.717 --> 04:15.383 several members of Congress , 04:15.383 --> 04:16.828 Representative Ferguson , 04:16.828 --> 04:19.430 Representative Crow and Senator ernst 04:19.440 --> 04:22.870 because today we are hosting a true 04:22.870 --> 04:25.710 american hero and awarding and honor 04:25.960 --> 04:29.410 that is long overdue , More than 04:29.420 --> 04:33.170 70 years overdue 70 years ago on a 04:33.170 --> 04:35.130 frozen hilltop deep in what is now 04:35.130 --> 04:37.900 North Korea , A young first Lieutenant 04:37.910 --> 04:41.020 bravely out of West Point and barely 04:41.020 --> 04:43.980 out of West Point act with bravery and 04:43.980 --> 04:45.869 that earned him the Distinguished 04:45.869 --> 04:47.869 Service Cross , the military second 04:47.869 --> 04:50.210 highest honor today . After more than a 04:50.210 --> 04:52.940 decade of effort , including support 04:53.100 --> 04:56.510 from my good friend john McCain , god 04:56.510 --> 04:58.460 rest his soul . Shortly before he 04:58.460 --> 05:01.700 passed away , I'm incredibly proud to 05:01.700 --> 05:04.700 give Colonel ralph buckets act of valor 05:04.700 --> 05:07.350 the full recognition they have always 05:07.350 --> 05:10.140 deserved . Colonel . I'm humbled to 05:10.140 --> 05:12.780 have you here today . I really am along 05:12.780 --> 05:15.590 with your loving family and to award 05:15.590 --> 05:18.880 you the Medal of Honor . And though I 05:18.880 --> 05:21.700 understand that your first response to 05:21.700 --> 05:24.760 us hosting this event was to ask why 05:24.760 --> 05:28.260 all the fuss ? Yeah , why all the fuss 05:28.640 --> 05:32.500 can't they just mail it to me ? I was 05:32.500 --> 05:34.500 going to make a joke about the post 05:34.500 --> 05:36.778 office , but it's not to do that . Mhm . 05:37.740 --> 05:41.350 Colonel Puckett , After 70 years 05:41.360 --> 05:43.416 rather than mail it to you . I would 05:43.416 --> 05:45.638 have walked it to you . You know , your 05:45.638 --> 05:47.804 lifetime of service to our nation as I 05:47.804 --> 05:50.520 think deserves a little bit of fuss . A 05:50.520 --> 05:53.350 little bit of fuss . You know , when I 05:53.360 --> 05:55.660 called to tell the colonel that I had 05:55.660 --> 05:58.950 approved this award , I also spoke to 05:59.080 --> 06:01.260 Jeannie , excuse me for using your 06:01.260 --> 06:04.420 first name . That was my mom's name too . 06:04.430 --> 06:06.486 And you're my mom in the same eyes , 06:06.486 --> 06:08.708 although you're much too young to be my 06:08.740 --> 06:12.250 and They've been married for 68 years . 06:12.740 --> 06:14.907 We have something else and we have one 06:14.907 --> 06:17.018 thing in common . We both married way 06:17.018 --> 06:19.360 up , both married way up . 06:21.440 --> 06:24.910 That's exactly right . Well , Jeannie 06:24.910 --> 06:27.440 and ralph actually met while he was 06:27.440 --> 06:29.720 recovering from his wounds . They were 06:29.720 --> 06:33.380 married two years to the day after the 06:33.380 --> 06:35.640 battle that we're recognizing him today 06:35.640 --> 06:37.696 for his bravery . By the way , y'all 06:37.696 --> 06:38.973 can sit down . I think 06:41.640 --> 06:45.040 it just dawned on me . I understand why 06:45.040 --> 06:47.262 you're standing . I'd be standing too . 06:47.262 --> 06:51.050 But Jeannie , it's wonderful to welcome . 06:51.440 --> 06:53.440 I mean , that from the bottom of my 06:53.440 --> 06:56.240 heart Jill and I know firsthand , but 06:56.240 --> 06:58.407 it's not just the person who wears the 06:58.407 --> 07:00.730 uniform who serves military families 07:00.730 --> 07:03.660 make enormous sacrifices for our nation . 07:04.140 --> 07:06.360 So let me add our thanks to you and 07:06.360 --> 07:08.950 your life of service as well . I told 07:08.950 --> 07:11.006 you earlier , that expression by the 07:11.006 --> 07:13.228 poet , they also stand only . They also 07:13.228 --> 07:15.394 serve only stand and wait and you wait 07:15.394 --> 07:17.490 a long , long time and many , many , 07:17.500 --> 07:19.980 many circumstances . And that goes to 07:19.980 --> 07:22.990 the entire family , marty and her 07:22.990 --> 07:25.800 husband , Anthony , thomas and 07:25.810 --> 07:27.643 partnership . I don't know where 07:27.643 --> 07:29.810 they're here . I didn't see them yet . 07:29.810 --> 07:32.032 And I know the other daughter , Jeannie 07:32.032 --> 07:34.032 isn't with us anymore . Just like I 07:34.032 --> 07:36.199 wish our son Beau were able to be here 07:36.199 --> 07:38.421 to see this . He's not with us either . 07:38.421 --> 07:40.643 She's sharing spirit and represented by 07:40.643 --> 07:43.080 her family And I know she's always in 07:43.080 --> 07:46.310 your heart Colonel and never leaves . I 07:46.310 --> 07:48.780 also want to recognize Master Sergeant , 07:48.780 --> 07:51.950 Merrill Simpson who fought beside the 07:51.950 --> 07:54.283 colonel and Korea . Where are you going ? 07:54.283 --> 07:55.850 Stand up sir . Come in . 08:05.040 --> 08:06.460 Yeah , mm hmm . 08:17.940 --> 08:20.107 Who made the trip to Washington day to 08:20.107 --> 08:22.460 represent all of their fallen brothers 08:22.940 --> 08:25.950 From the 8th Army Ranger Company . It's 08:25.950 --> 08:28.117 an honor . It's an honor for all their 08:28.117 --> 08:31.850 memories as well . Hill to five . We're 08:31.850 --> 08:33.794 just 60 miles from the border with 08:33.794 --> 08:37.100 China and then Lieutenant it . And the 08:37.100 --> 08:39.360 rangers had their orders to take that 08:39.360 --> 08:42.400 hill as a young officer . Lieutenant 08:42.400 --> 08:44.360 Puckett knew that something wasn't 08:44.360 --> 08:46.582 quite right . The intelligence briefing 08:46.582 --> 08:49.320 indicated that there were 25,000 08:49.330 --> 08:51.770 Chinese troops in the area . Out . 08:51.770 --> 08:54.460 Bring Us and Korean Forces . 2 - three . 08:55.040 --> 08:57.260 Our Show Me 3 : two . Well , it's in 08:57.260 --> 08:59.750 the pocket though . The numbers thought 08:59.750 --> 09:01.972 the numbers for the attack didn't align 09:01.972 --> 09:03.917 with the basic military doctrine . 09:03.940 --> 09:06.760 Lieutenant believed in the fundamentals . 09:07.440 --> 09:10.660 It was how he trained his men and how 09:10.660 --> 09:13.060 he'd hand picked them . Chosen from the 09:13.060 --> 09:15.500 ranks of cooks and clerks and mechanics 09:15.940 --> 09:19.210 to the first ranger company since World 09:19.210 --> 09:22.140 War two . Physical conditioning , 09:22.150 --> 09:24.372 tactical training , working as a team , 09:25.040 --> 09:27.380 get the basics right then build from 09:27.380 --> 09:29.600 there . Lieutenant Puckett also 09:29.600 --> 09:31.878 believed in being there for the flight . 09:31.940 --> 09:33.940 He volunteered for the Army Corps , 09:33.940 --> 09:37.870 enlisted reserve to try to join uh , 09:37.880 --> 09:40.180 to fight in World War Two . He 09:40.180 --> 09:43.710 volunteered to go to Korea and instead 09:43.990 --> 09:46.580 of the safer posting in Japan , you 09:46.590 --> 09:48.860 volunteer for the new ranger company . 09:49.420 --> 09:52.750 And then he prayed , Dear God , don't 09:52.750 --> 09:55.770 let me get a bunch of guys , good guys 09:55.780 --> 09:58.680 killed when he was chosen to command 09:58.680 --> 10:02.050 that company . So , on the morning of 10:02.050 --> 10:05.260 November 25 , 1950 10:05.740 --> 10:09.070 mounted on the decks of the tanks , 51 10:09.070 --> 10:11.140 of Puckett's Rangers and nine Korean 10:11.140 --> 10:13.307 enlisted soldiers set out to take hill 10:13.307 --> 10:16.750 to five to make their charge . They had 10:16.750 --> 10:18.917 to cross about a half a mile of frozen 10:18.917 --> 10:21.083 rice paddies under fire . And when the 10:21.083 --> 10:23.470 any machine gunners slowed the rangers 10:23.470 --> 10:27.040 advance pocket risked his life by 10:27.040 --> 10:29.207 running across across the area to draw 10:29.207 --> 10:31.480 fire that would reveal with the 10:31.480 --> 10:35.340 location of the nest . He did it once 10:35.390 --> 10:38.360 he did it again , it took three runs 10:38.710 --> 10:40.821 intentionally exposing himself to the 10:40.821 --> 10:43.310 enemy to pick off the gunner . Of 10:43.310 --> 10:46.340 course , Colonel Puckett had developed 10:46.350 --> 10:48.970 a dangerous hobby as he recounted in 10:48.970 --> 10:51.830 his book of challenging himself to run 10:51.830 --> 10:53.941 in front of speeding cars when he was 10:53.941 --> 10:57.440 four years old . Yeah , 10:59.740 --> 11:03.150 so self preservation , it seemed , was 11:03.150 --> 11:06.360 never a primary concern of the current . 11:07.140 --> 11:09.196 When the rangers finally reached the 11:09.196 --> 11:11.196 top of hill to five , they found it 11:11.196 --> 11:13.390 abandoned , Puckett knew the fight 11:13.390 --> 11:16.020 wasn't nearly over his men establish a 11:16.020 --> 11:18.210 defensive perimeter and then went to 11:18.210 --> 11:21.330 coordinate the artillery support he was 11:21.330 --> 11:24.470 sure they would need and while he was 11:24.470 --> 11:27.710 there to load up the ammunition on 11:27.710 --> 11:30.160 ammunition and grenades , the basics 11:30.540 --> 11:33.350 Shortly after returned 1st , Onslaught 11:33.360 --> 11:36.130 began mortars followed by a ground 11:36.130 --> 11:38.190 assault from the entire Chinese 11:38.200 --> 11:40.570 battalion . Puckett Buckets . Rangers 11:40.570 --> 11:43.520 are outnumbered almost 10-1 during the 11:43.520 --> 11:46.630 fight . ! It abandoned the relative 11:46.630 --> 11:49.310 safety of his foxhole . Moving from man 11:49.310 --> 11:52.050 to man , encouraged them in the fight , 11:52.060 --> 11:54.393 checking that the perimeter was holding , 11:54.740 --> 11:56.907 he took a grenade fragment in his left 11:56.907 --> 11:58.760 thigh but Puckett refused to be 11:58.760 --> 12:01.970 evacuated . It was a ranger . He led 12:01.970 --> 12:04.130 his men from the front and over the 12:04.130 --> 12:06.352 course of the next several hours , four 12:06.352 --> 12:09.440 more ways of assaults came . Each time 12:09.450 --> 12:12.760 Puckett made his rounds passing out 12:13.140 --> 12:15.600 extra ammo and extra encouragement to 12:15.600 --> 12:18.710 rally his men . Each time he was able 12:18.710 --> 12:20.690 to call in artillery support , 12:20.700 --> 12:24.230 sometimes danger close to help break 12:24.230 --> 12:26.341 the advance of the chinese soldiers . 12:26.840 --> 12:29.500 Each time the rangers held the hill , 12:29.510 --> 12:31.677 pushing any back at times with hand to 12:31.677 --> 12:34.960 hand fighting About about 2:30 . AM . 12:35.340 --> 12:37.284 After more than four hours of near 12:37.284 --> 12:40.160 nonstop fighting , the 6th wave began . 12:41.340 --> 12:44.160 By this time , the rangers had many 12:44.160 --> 12:46.327 rangers have been killed and those who 12:46.327 --> 12:48.493 were left were exhausted , outnumbered 12:48.493 --> 12:50.549 and dangerously short of dangerously 12:50.549 --> 12:52.493 short of ammunition and grenades . 12:52.940 --> 12:55.000 Lieutenant has sustained the second 12:55.000 --> 12:58.370 wound . This time is left shoulder . He 12:58.370 --> 13:00.703 had distributed all the ammo to his men , 13:00.703 --> 13:02.537 keeping only eight bullets and a 13:02.537 --> 13:05.390 bayonet for himself . For the last time 13:05.400 --> 13:07.400 Puckett called in artillery support 13:07.840 --> 13:09.784 only to be told that the guns were 13:09.784 --> 13:12.550 supporting other besieged units . Then 13:12.940 --> 13:14.996 two mortar rounds landed directly in 13:14.996 --> 13:16.996 Puckett's Foxhole , tearing through 13:16.996 --> 13:19.610 both his feet and his backside and his 13:19.610 --> 13:21.960 left arm and shoulder . Puckett's 13:21.960 --> 13:24.530 rangers have been overwhelmed and he 13:24.530 --> 13:26.990 himself was badly wounded . He ordered 13:26.990 --> 13:29.330 ordered one of his men find him on the 13:29.330 --> 13:32.790 ground to leave him behind . But that's 13:32.790 --> 13:36.060 not . The ranger creed private 13:36.740 --> 13:39.520 ran for help and soon to other rangers 13:39.520 --> 13:41.742 charged back up the hill , fighting off 13:41.742 --> 13:44.450 advancing chinese soldiers retrieving 13:44.450 --> 13:47.150 their commander . They had to drag him 13:47.150 --> 13:49.261 down the hill with Lieutenant Puckett 13:49.261 --> 13:51.690 reminding them and himself that he 13:51.690 --> 13:54.310 could take the pain . Quote , I'm a 13:54.310 --> 13:58.170 ranger before 13:58.170 --> 14:00.340 his men loaded him in on a tank to 14:00.340 --> 14:02.640 evacuate the tenant bucket call for one 14:02.640 --> 14:06.300 final barrage on Hill 205 And the 8th 14:06.300 --> 14:08.510 Army unloaded artillery while 14:08.510 --> 14:10.930 phosphorus on the rangers form and 14:10.940 --> 14:13.140 phosphorus phosphorus on the rangers 14:13.140 --> 14:15.850 former position , they did not hold the 14:15.850 --> 14:18.072 hill . But the rangers extracted a high 14:18.072 --> 14:21.290 price Korea . It is sometimes called 14:21.290 --> 14:23.900 the Forgotten War . But those men who 14:23.900 --> 14:26.060 were there under Lieutenant command , 14:26.640 --> 14:29.620 they'll never forget his bravery . They 14:29.620 --> 14:33.400 never forget that he was right by their 14:33.400 --> 14:37.000 side throughout every minute of . And 14:37.000 --> 14:38.889 the people of the Republic career 14:38.889 --> 14:41.056 hadn't forgotten , as evidenced by the 14:41.056 --> 14:43.167 fact that the prime minister of Korea 14:43.167 --> 14:45.167 is here for this ceremony . I doubt 14:45.167 --> 14:47.333 with this has ever happened before . I 14:47.333 --> 14:49.278 can't say that for certain , but I 14:49.278 --> 14:51.222 doubt that's happened before . The 14:51.222 --> 14:53.278 americans . All americans like ralph 14:53.278 --> 14:56.130 Puckett joined in their fight . And 14:56.130 --> 14:58.410 while the enduring partnership between 14:58.410 --> 15:00.690 our two nations began a war , it 15:00.690 --> 15:03.910 flourished through peace . It's it's 15:03.910 --> 15:06.077 testament I think of the extraordinary 15:06.077 --> 15:08.380 strength of our alliance . And we're 15:08.380 --> 15:10.491 joined today , as I said by President 15:10.491 --> 15:12.658 Moon with , I can't tell you how happy 15:12.658 --> 15:14.713 I am he's able to be here . And if I 15:14.713 --> 15:16.824 may I'd like to invite President Moon 15:16.824 --> 15:19.380 to say a few words if that is okay . 15:19.520 --> 15:20.520 President Moon . 15:39.940 --> 15:43.580 Bye . But I don't get 15:43.880 --> 15:45.770 the image function at all . Right 15:45.780 --> 15:48.820 Pocket . Yeah . Then 15:49.720 --> 15:50.900 you get some cash 15:53.540 --> 15:55.850 they gave him jang . Soon as you get 15:56.240 --> 15:58.800 the congressman 16:04.740 --> 16:07.073 Mr President , thank you for your words . 16:07.073 --> 16:09.240 I find it truly meaningful to join the 16:09.240 --> 16:11.296 Medal of Honor presentation ceremony 16:11.296 --> 16:13.462 for carnal ralph Pocket Junior U . S . 16:13.462 --> 16:15.462 Army retired upon president biden's 16:15.462 --> 16:17.680 invitation . I learned that I'm the 16:17.680 --> 16:19.902 first foreign leader to ever attend the 16:19.902 --> 16:22.013 ceremony of such kind as President of 16:22.013 --> 16:24.124 the republic of Korea . It is a great 16:24.124 --> 16:25.180 honor and pleasure 16:29.540 --> 16:33.390 hunger in january . The only man 16:33.400 --> 16:36.290 you're wrong all the time . 16:37.360 --> 16:40.630 So try taking a leadership role 16:41.180 --> 16:42.510 in murder one . 16:52.740 --> 16:54.684 You think it's absolutely system . 16:55.640 --> 16:57.890 Cardinal Pocket is a true hero of the 16:57.890 --> 17:00.560 korean war with extraordinary Balor and 17:00.560 --> 17:02.504 leadership . He completed missions 17:02.504 --> 17:04.616 until the very end defending Hill two 17:04.616 --> 17:06.782 of five and fighting many more battles 17:06.782 --> 17:09.120 requiring equal values without the 17:09.120 --> 17:11.480 sacrifice of veterans including carnal 17:11.480 --> 17:13.313 pocket and the Eighth Army Range 17:13.313 --> 17:15.410 company , freedom and democracy we 17:15.410 --> 17:17.577 enjoy today couldn't have blossomed in 17:17.577 --> 17:21.360 Korea . Cook in a car . 17:22.640 --> 17:24.080 Jiangxi hunger gone 17:28.940 --> 17:32.790 critics and media hunger gun gen , 17:32.790 --> 17:35.470 january periods of Yeah , she 17:37.240 --> 17:40.810 uh huh . Think about how 17:40.810 --> 17:43.630 you're gonna get your Children . Uh you 17:43.630 --> 17:46.490 will jump alongside the very good humor 17:47.240 --> 17:51.190 Hung Gle glenn , who is that under the 17:51.280 --> 17:52.960 general legal system 17:54.840 --> 17:57.650 earlier ? Uh Carnal Pocket told me that 17:57.650 --> 17:59.817 when he was in Korea during the korean 17:59.817 --> 18:01.940 war , it was absolutely destroyed . 18:01.950 --> 18:04.210 That was true . But from the ashes of 18:04.210 --> 18:06.830 the korean war re rose , we came back 18:06.840 --> 18:08.951 and that was thanks to the korean war 18:08.951 --> 18:11.062 veterans who fought for Korea's peace 18:11.062 --> 18:13.630 and freedom and now thanks to their 18:13.640 --> 18:15.910 support and efforts , we are enjoying 18:15.920 --> 18:19.700 prosperity . Hang up your 18:19.700 --> 18:23.290 your keeping comes our problem with 18:23.290 --> 18:25.130 that . Hang on . 18:27.440 --> 18:31.330 How you are . Video on segregation , 18:31.330 --> 18:35.270 missionary person without . Are you 18:35.270 --> 18:38.330 actually saying you're only joking 18:39.940 --> 18:41.884 on behalf of the korean people ? I 18:41.884 --> 18:43.996 express deep gratitude and respect to 18:43.996 --> 18:46.040 them through the war veterans . The 18:46.040 --> 18:47.980 korean people saw a great soul of 18:47.980 --> 18:50.202 America that marches toward freedom and 18:50.202 --> 18:52.091 peace . Their acts of gallantry , 18:52.091 --> 18:54.380 sacrifice and friendship will forever 18:54.380 --> 18:58.200 be remembered . You should message in 18:58.590 --> 18:59.460 mainland 19:02.410 --> 19:04.521 action . Tricky . There was something 19:04.521 --> 19:06.960 that right books that they don't even 19:06.960 --> 19:07.330 go 19:10.720 --> 19:12.590 Yeah , uh 19:14.910 --> 19:18.910 huh Comes on 19:19.640 --> 19:21.807 the rock . Us alliance forged in blood 19:21.807 --> 19:23.751 of heroes has become a linchpin of 19:23.751 --> 19:25.696 peace and prosperity on the korean 19:25.696 --> 19:27.862 peninsula and beyond carnal packet and 19:27.862 --> 19:29.807 his fellow warriors are linked the 19:29.807 --> 19:31.640 strongly biased Korea and the US 19:31.640 --> 19:33.862 together . I pray that they stayed with 19:33.862 --> 19:35.862 us in good health for a long time . 19:35.862 --> 19:38.470 Thank you very much . Uh 19:38.470 --> 19:44.460 huh . 19:51.340 --> 19:52.340 Mhm . 19:58.040 --> 20:01.090 Well thank you . President Moon . Now 20:01.090 --> 20:03.090 I'd be remiss if I didn't know that 20:03.090 --> 20:05.710 ralph Puckett service to our nation did 20:05.710 --> 20:09.440 not end in the pre war , it did 20:09.440 --> 20:11.800 not end after service in the Vietnam 20:11.800 --> 20:14.000 War . We're here in a second 20:14.000 --> 20:17.130 Distinguished Service Cross two silver 20:17.130 --> 20:20.720 stars , two brown stars with V . For 20:20.720 --> 20:23.500 valor . And add to that during his 20:23.500 --> 20:26.990 service , five purple hearts for 20:26.990 --> 20:28.657 injuries suffered in combat . 20:30.740 --> 20:34.220 It didn't end after his retirement from 20:34.220 --> 20:37.620 active duty or his induction into the 20:37.630 --> 20:40.250 ranger Hall of Fame . It didn't end 20:40.250 --> 20:42.870 there either When he served as the 20:42.870 --> 20:45.020 honorary colonel for the 75th Ranger 20:45.020 --> 20:47.680 Regiment where he helped new generation 20:47.680 --> 20:49.513 of rangers during their training 20:49.513 --> 20:53.450 missions . Even now , even now you 20:53.450 --> 20:55.394 can find him out at Fort Benning , 20:55.394 --> 20:57.700 cheering on the rangers and let him 20:57.700 --> 21:01.570 know he's there with him . Over his 21:01.570 --> 21:04.160 career , he mentored countless young 21:04.160 --> 21:07.120 people . He's always believed that's 21:07.130 --> 21:10.410 all that mattered to be a ranger was . 21:10.410 --> 21:13.290 You had the guts and the brains that 21:13.290 --> 21:15.470 the standard he applied when he picked 21:15.470 --> 21:18.780 his first ranger unit in Korea in an 21:18.780 --> 21:21.670 army that only recently been integrated . 21:22.140 --> 21:26.060 He chose with his team included a black , 21:26.440 --> 21:29.260 a latino and asian american members . 21:30.940 --> 21:33.218 My mother would say , God love you man . 21:33.940 --> 21:36.360 In 2015 during the Obama Biden 21:36.360 --> 21:38.350 administration and the military is 21:38.350 --> 21:40.461 considering open all combat positions 21:40.461 --> 21:43.360 to women , including rangers colonel . 21:43.660 --> 21:45.910 it ! Let it be known that he thought 21:45.910 --> 21:48.243 women could meet the standards and said , 21:48.340 --> 21:52.240 I want to see them do it . He leads to 21:52.240 --> 21:55.390 the front , He leads by example . He 21:55.390 --> 21:57.950 leads with his heart , he's a ranger 21:58.440 --> 22:00.500 and that's how rangers lead . That's 22:00.500 --> 22:03.950 how you lead . So now it is my great 22:03.950 --> 22:06.550 honor to ask for the citation to be 22:06.550 --> 22:09.560 read and to award Colonel Puckett 22:10.140 --> 22:12.590 Junior . Ralph Puckett junior with the 22:12.590 --> 22:13.590 Medal of Honor . 22:28.340 --> 22:30.451 The President of the United States of 22:30.451 --> 22:32.784 America , authorized by Act of Congress , 22:32.784 --> 22:35.700 March 3rd 18 63 . Has awarded in the 22:35.700 --> 22:37.867 name of Congress the Medal of Honor to 22:38.240 --> 22:40.440 First Lieutenant Ralph Pocket Junior , 22:40.470 --> 22:43.120 United States Army for conspicuous 22:43.120 --> 22:45.231 gallantry and intrepidity at the risk 22:45.231 --> 22:47.342 of his life above and beyond the call 22:47.342 --> 22:49.570 of duty . First Lieutenant Ralph 22:49.570 --> 22:51.792 Puckett Junior distinguished himself by 22:51.792 --> 22:54.014 acts of gallantry and intrepidity above 22:54.014 --> 22:55.903 and beyond the call of duty while 22:55.903 --> 22:58.237 serving as the commander , eighth U . S . 22:58.237 --> 23:00.348 Army ranger company during the period 23:00.348 --> 23:03.150 of 25 november 1953 26 november 23:03.160 --> 23:07.120 1950 in Korea . As his unit 23:07.120 --> 23:09.670 commenced a daylight attack on Hill 205 , 23:09.680 --> 23:12.030 the enemy directed Mortar Machine gun 23:12.030 --> 23:13.808 and small arms fire against the 23:13.808 --> 23:16.680 advancing force . To obtain fire . 23:16.690 --> 23:18.690 First Lieutenant Pocket mounted the 23:18.690 --> 23:20.857 closest tank , exposing himself to the 23:20.857 --> 23:23.610 deadly enemy fire leaping from the tank , 23:23.610 --> 23:25.666 he shouted words of encouragement to 23:25.666 --> 23:27.777 his men began to leave the rangers in 23:27.777 --> 23:30.590 the attack . Almost immediately enemy 23:30.590 --> 23:32.534 fire threatened the success of the 23:32.534 --> 23:34.479 attack by pinning down one platoon 23:35.140 --> 23:37.196 leaving the safety of his position . 23:37.196 --> 23:39.529 With full knowledge of the danger froze . 23:39.529 --> 23:41.584 Lieutenant Puckett intentionally ran 23:41.584 --> 23:43.807 across an open area three times to draw 23:43.807 --> 23:45.696 enemy fire , thereby allowing the 23:45.696 --> 23:47.918 rangers to locate and destroy the enemy 23:47.918 --> 23:51.130 positions and to seize hill 205 During 23:51.130 --> 23:53.297 the night the enemy launched a counter 23:53.297 --> 23:55.463 attack that lasted four hours over the 23:55.463 --> 23:57.352 course of the counterattack . The 23:57.352 --> 23:59.519 rangers were inspired and motivated by 23:59.519 --> 24:01.352 the extraordinary leadership and 24:01.352 --> 24:03.463 courageous example exhibited by First 24:03.463 --> 24:05.630 Lieutenant Pocket . As a result , five 24:05.630 --> 24:07.519 human wave attacks by a battalion 24:07.519 --> 24:09.408 strength enemy enemy element were 24:09.408 --> 24:12.200 repulsed during the first attack . 24:12.280 --> 24:14.447 First Lieutenant Pocket was wounded by 24:14.447 --> 24:16.224 grenade fragments , but refused 24:16.224 --> 24:18.224 evacuation and continually directed 24:18.224 --> 24:20.002 artillery support the decimated 24:20.002 --> 24:22.300 attacking enemy formations . He 24:22.300 --> 24:24.133 repeatedly abandoned positions a 24:24.133 --> 24:26.189 relative safety to make his way from 24:26.189 --> 24:28.040 foxhole to foxhole to check the 24:28.040 --> 24:30.151 company's perimeter and to distribute 24:30.151 --> 24:34.150 ammunition amongst the rangers . When 24:34.150 --> 24:36.206 the enemy launched a 6th attack , it 24:36.206 --> 24:38.428 became clear to first lieutenant pocket 24:38.428 --> 24:40.594 that the position was untenable due to 24:40.594 --> 24:42.428 the unavailability of supporting 24:42.428 --> 24:44.594 artillery fire . During this attack to 24:44.594 --> 24:46.483 enemy mortar rounds landed in his 24:46.483 --> 24:48.539 foxhole , inflicting grievous wounds 24:48.539 --> 24:51.820 which limited his mobility knowing his 24:51.820 --> 24:53.876 men were in a precarious situation . 24:53.876 --> 24:55.987 First Lieutenant Pocket commanded the 24:55.987 --> 24:57.764 rangers to leave him behind and 24:57.764 --> 24:59.931 evacuate the area , feeling a sense of 24:59.931 --> 25:02.042 duty to aid him , The rangers refused 25:02.042 --> 25:03.876 the order and stage an effort to 25:03.876 --> 25:05.876 retrieve him from the fox hole will 25:05.876 --> 25:07.764 still under fire from the enemy . 25:08.140 --> 25:10.251 Ultimately , the rangers succeeded in 25:10.251 --> 25:12.418 retrieving First Lieutenant Pocket and 25:12.418 --> 25:14.473 they moved to the bottom of the hill 25:14.473 --> 25:16.140 were First Lieutenant . First 25:16.140 --> 25:17.751 Lieutenant Pocket called for 25:17.751 --> 25:19.973 devastating artillery fire on the child 25:19.973 --> 25:22.140 with the enemy controlled hill . First 25:22.140 --> 25:23.973 Lieutenant pockets extraordinary 25:23.973 --> 25:25.918 heroism and selflessness above and 25:25.918 --> 25:28.140 beyond the call of duty were in keeping 25:28.140 --> 25:30.362 with the highest traditions of military 25:30.362 --> 25:30.290 service and reflect great credit upon 25:30.290 --> 25:33.200 himself . His unit in the United States 25:33.200 --> 25:34.200 Army . 25:58.640 --> 25:59.640 Mhm . 26:28.540 --> 26:30.762 Let me invite the family up . Come on , 26:30.762 --> 26:33.690 get the family up here , all of it , 26:33.690 --> 26:35.160 including the grandkids 26:51.740 --> 26:52.740 for 27:13.140 --> 27:13.350 mm 27:20.240 --> 27:21.240 Right . 27:23.940 --> 27:27.350 Special Black . Right . 27:30.540 --> 27:33.260 Yeah . Mr President . You mind ? Yeah . 27:36.340 --> 27:37.340 Yeah . 27:37.340 --> 27:40.660 Wait . 27:41.540 --> 27:45.450 All right , Billy , come on over . Mhm . 28:00.340 --> 28:03.940 People here ? Yeah . 28:07.040 --> 28:09.450 Okay , something like that . Mm . 28:21.230 --> 28:23.410 That's a good thing . 28:25.840 --> 28:27.673 They could have prevented them . 28:27.673 --> 28:30.960 Thank 28:30.970 --> 28:34.030 you . Thank you . 28:34.040 --> 28:36.460 Thank you . Thank you 28:37.940 --> 28:41.560 appreciate that . Mm You guys . Okay . 28:41.940 --> 28:48.290 Okay 28:48.300 --> 28:51.930 well ladies and gentlemen louise Join 28:51.930 --> 28:54.180 me as we conclude today's ceremony 28:54.190 --> 28:57.560 would offer girl pocket maybe 94 but I 28:57.560 --> 28:59.727 see the same horrific determination of 28:59.727 --> 29:02.670 the young in your body investiture . 29:02.950 --> 29:06.450 Please join me in prayer . Most Holy 29:06.450 --> 29:08.672 God as we leave this ceremony , inspire 29:08.672 --> 29:10.672 and encourage us to greater acts of 29:10.672 --> 29:12.617 service to our nation and armies . 29:12.617 --> 29:14.783 People give us the fortitude to always 29:14.783 --> 29:17.560 give 100 and then some may you bless 29:17.560 --> 29:19.616 Colonel Ralph Puckett Jr as he joins 29:19.616 --> 29:21.650 the pantheon of heroes who have 29:21.650 --> 29:23.483 distinguished themselves through 29:23.483 --> 29:25.670 selfless acts of bravery . Pay his 29:25.670 --> 29:27.800 leadership and legacy . Be away point 29:27.810 --> 29:30.610 for us to follow . Keep us all strong 29:30.610 --> 29:32.990 in spirit and give our leaders wisdom 29:32.990 --> 29:34.990 as they serve our nation's people , 29:35.240 --> 29:37.351 bless and protect our armed forces as 29:37.351 --> 29:39.462 they preserve our precious freedoms . 29:39.640 --> 29:41.990 Keep the lamp of liberty burning bright 29:41.990 --> 29:44.380 on the United States of America . Our 29:44.380 --> 29:47.330 allies around the world as well . I ask 29:47.330 --> 29:49.441 these things in your most blessed and 29:49.441 --> 29:50.670 holy name . Amen 29:52.860 --> 29:55.260 military protocol . But come on and say , 29:57.280 --> 30:00.260 yeah , the vice president stand . Where 30:00.260 --> 30:03.300 am I talking about ? Vice 30:03.300 --> 30:04.270 president ? 30:08.340 --> 30:09.340 We don't fall 30:16.740 --> 30:20.590 well , 30:20.600 --> 30:24.570 I bought it . Great . 30:25.640 --> 30:28.860 Okay . Thanks man . Thank you . Hey 30:28.860 --> 30:32.460 Laura Warrior himself 30:32.740 --> 30:35.018 and agreed to the Secretary of Defense . 30:48.820 --> 30:52.490 Yeah , come on , get up . 30:53.640 --> 30:55.807 But you two guys again . You may start 30:55.807 --> 30:59.190 with a Oh 30:59.200 --> 31:02.670 mom . Come 31:02.670 --> 31:05.790 on . Get that picture . 31:21.740 --> 31:24.860 Maybe if there's time walk out that 31:25.540 --> 31:27.707 maybe maybe the generals may come back 31:27.707 --> 31:31.060 to the state high . All right , 31:34.290 --> 31:38.270 okay . 32:25.050 --> 32:26.210 All right . 33:02.450 --> 33:04.060 We came down here .