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Ralph Puckett

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Battalion commander Ralph Puckett recounts the story of a night long attack by Viet Cong and NVA Regulars on a position held by one of his companies. He was grateful they had a Forward Observer to coordinate artillery support and helicopters for resupply, things he lacked in Korea. For his leadership during this attack, Puckett was awarded a second Distinguished Service Cross. (6:14)

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It was better to put men in the field and leave them there. That was the philosophy of Battalion commander Ralph Puckett in Vietnam, where some commanders inserted and then quickly withdrew their troops. When the operation was over, the reward was beer and steak and ice cream. Being prepared was very important to him and he illustrates that principle with a story about some soldiers who were not. (5:07)

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It was nearly time to go home and Ralph Puckett was trying to rally his successor's spirits while showing him around the battalion's operations. Rely on your experienced men, that was his key point. His homecoming was bittersweet because his father was very ill but he was joyous to be reunited with his wife and children. (3:29)

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Ralph Puckett had two homecomings, from Korea and Vietnam. The first was all joyous, the second bittersweet. Despite the anti-war feelings so prevalent at the time, he experienced gratitude and respect in public. (3:31)

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After twenty two years of service, Ralph Puckett retired and had a successful private life, but it was inevitable that he would reconnect with his beloved Rangers. His talent at building confidence is put to very good use at the Ranger school. (2:41)

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What do men need in a leader? Ralph Puckett draws on his long experience to answer that and then relate it to today's challenges for the military. He notes that some mistakes are repeated and that perhaps, "What we learned is that we don't learn anything from our wars." (3:10)

Ralph Smith

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His buddy joined the Army, but Ralph Smith didn't want to do that. He wanted to fly and could already fly a Piper Cub. A hostile instructor almost washed him out in primary training, but he made it through, all the way to the big B-17. (4:54)

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It took a while for B-17 co-pilot Ralph Smith to get going once he got to Italy. His first pilot got shot down on a check flight and then they had to train up his replacement. Once they were ready, they had eight missions over Germany before the war ended. (3:40)

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During flight training, there is an exercise involving oxygen supply. Ralph Smith volunteered to be the one who took off his mask and passed out. This helped him later in a high altitude incident over Germany. (4:16)

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There was a new recreation hall at the air base in England, but Ralph Smith didn't drink, so he declined the to join the night's festivities. He was in his tent writing letters. Just after midnight, the radio came to life with some startling news. (2:35)