WASHINGTON (AP) — Congress gave one of its highest final tributes on Monday — a lying in honor ceremony at the Capitol — to Ralph Puckett Jr., who led an outnumbered company in battle during the Korean War and was the last surviving veteran of that war to receive the Medal of Honor.
Puckett, who retired as an Army colonel, died earlier this month at the age of 97 at his home in Columbus, Georgia. He was awarded the Medal of Honor in 2021, the nation’s highest military honor, seven decades after his actions during the wartime.
The lying in honor ceremony at the Capitol is reserved for the nation’s most distinguished private citizens. Only seven others have received the honor, and the latest, in 2022, was Hershel W. “Woody” Williams, who was the last surviving Medal of Honor recipient from World War II. The ceremonies for both Williams and Puckett were meant to also recognize the broader generations of veterans who are now dwindling in numbers.
Student fatally shot, suspect detained at Georgia's Kennesaw State University
Chinese President Appoints New Ambassadors
Standing Committee of Political Bureau of CPC Central Committee Discusses Optimizing COVID
Departments, Organizations Care for Children
Kristin Cavallari, 37, ignores critics of her age
Xi Stresses Studying, Understanding, Implementing Guiding Principles of Key Party Congress
CCTF, Hengyuanxiang Launch 2023 Heng’ai Action
Why US Catholics are planning pilgrimages in communities across the nation
China Issues White Paper on Community with Shared Future in Cyberspace
Insider Q&A: CIA's chief technologist's cautious embrace of generative AI
Caring for Rural Women Teachers, Promoting Career Development