Tifton Scene September 2022 | Page 29

deadly enemy fire ,” according to the Medal of Honor web site . “ Leaping from the tank , he yelled , ‘ Let ’ s go !’ and began to lead his Rangers in the attack .”
They were hit with heavy enemy machine gun fire as soon as they moved . One platoon was pinned down .
Puckett ran across an open area , drawing enemy fire three times . He knew it put him at risk but his actions led Rangers to pinpoint the machine gun positions , leading them to destroy the machine guns .
The company seized Hill 205 . Day turned to night . Temperatures dropped to near 0 . The enemy counter-attacked . “ During the next four hours , the 57-man company , inspired and motivated by the extraordinary leadership and courageous example exhibited by Lt . Puckett , repulsed five human wave attacks by a 500-man battalion assaulting behind intense mortar barrages ,” according to the Medal of Honor website . “ Continually directing ‘ danger close ’ artillery support that decimated attacking enemy formations , repeatedly abandoning positions of relative safety to make his way from foxhole to foxhole to check the perimeter , interceding at each point of decision in the battle , redistributing ammunition and keeping only one eight-round clip for his own rifle , 1st Lt . Puckett ’ s encouragement and dauntless will instilled in his men an unfailing desire and perseverance to resist .” It came at a cost . Puckett had suffered a thigh wound from a grenade fragment during the first assault . He refused evacuation . He would be wounded again in this battle .
He again intentionally exposed himself to enemy fire . This time , a sniper fired on the Rangers . Puckett exposed himself to sniper fire three times . The sniper was located and killed .
But they were unable to get artillery support . On the sixth enemy assault , the enemy overrun the Rangers .
“ Two mortar rounds detonated in 1st Lt . Puckett ’ s foxhole inflicting severe wounds to his feet , buttocks and left arm ,” according to citations . “ Though the wounds to his right foot were so severe the doctors considered amputation for several months , 1st Lt . Puckett maintained the presence of mind to report that his command was being overrun by the enemy .”
Unable to move , horribly wounded , Puckett ordered his Rangers to leave him behind and go .
“ Two of his Rangers fought their way to his position killing three enemy who were only 10 yards from where 1st Lt . Puckett lay defenseless . Although 1st Lt . Puckett ordered his Rangers to leave him behind , they refused .
“ Later as the enemy fired at the rescuers Puckett again ordered his men to leave him to ensure their safety . Finally secure at the bottom of Hill 205 and despite the seriousness and pain of his wounds , 1st Lt . Puckett maintained the presence of mind to direct a heavy concentration of artillery fire on the enemy now on top of the hill .”
The Army would say many things about his actions :
“ Puckett ’ s extraordinary courage and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself , his unit , and the United States Army .”
“ 1st Lt . Ralph Puckett , United States Army , distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty on 25-26 November 1950 while serving as Commander , Eighth Army Ranger Company , Task Force Dolvin .”
But he needed time to heal . He needed time close to his home in Tifton .

HEALING FACTOR

Ralph Puckett met a soldier who claimed he could tell people ’ s fortunes while hospitalized at Fort Benning , Georgia .
He spent 11 months there , healing from the wounds he suffered during the two days of fighting on Hill 205 .
The fortune teller told Puckett he would meet a blonde and brunette , adding the Ranger would marry one of them . A skeptical Puckett told the fortune-telling soldier to move on .
A few weeks later , his parents drove over from Tifton to see Puckett in the hospital . He had told his family about the fortune teller for a laugh .
During the family visit , “ two beautiful girls stuck their heads in the door . One blonde , one brunette ,” he said . “ They were visiting people . I didn ’ t know them but my dad said , ‘ he ’ s going to marry one of you .’”
They visited for about 90 minutes . He thought the blonde , Jean Martin , was “ a really good-looking girl .” She visited again . A relationship devel-
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