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. |
Why the speech by Kansas City Chiefs kicker was embraced at Benedictine College's commencementBlackout 2024: Why are social media users blocking celebrities?Election 2024: Biden using Trump's presidency as campaign strategyFrom a toothless Queen Elizabeth II to a semiUS border arrests fall in April, bucking usual spring increase as Mexico steps up enforcementSarah Paulson names actress who sent her SIX pages of notes following OffSir Michael Caine, 91, claims London born artistSarah Paulson names actress who sent her SIX pages of notes following OffMariners activate Dominic Canzone off injured list. J.P. Crawford getting closer to returnPalestinians recount painful history with war in Gaza as a reminder