by Mike Matzinger
Ralph Puckett Jr. (December 8, 1926 – April 8, 2024) was an Eagle Scout and highly decorated American soldier whose extraordinary valor and leadership left a lasting legacy. Born in Tifton, Georgia, Puckett was inspired to join Scouting after seeing Scouts in uniform assisting their community. He earned the rank of Eagle Scout in just two years, the minimum required, and continued to demonstrate leadership as a patrol leader and senior patrol leader, gaining formative experience that would shape his life.
Puckett’s early Scouting experiences instilled in him a strong sense of duty and service, principles he carried into his military career. During the Korean War, as a first lieutenant in the U.S. Army, he led a team of Rangers in the Battle of Unsan in November 1950. With full knowledge of the danger, Puckett repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire to protect his men and allow them to seize key positions. For his conspicuous gallantry, he was awarded the Medal of Honor in 2021, becoming at least the 12th Eagle Scout to receive the nation’s highest military honor.
In his life, Puckett credited the Scout Oath and his Scouting experiences as having a profound influence on his character and leadership. He often reflected on how the lessons learned as a Scout—teamwork, responsibility, and service—prepared him for the challenges he would face on the battlefield.
Puckett passed away peacefully at his home in Columbus, Georgia, on April 8, 2024, at the age of 97. His cremated remains lay in honor in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda on April 29, 2024, a rare tribute to the nation’s most distinguished citizens. Puckett’s legacy endures as a symbol of courage, service, and the enduring values of Scouting and military leadership.