Clinton A. Puckett

Clinton A. Puckett (March 6, 1926 – September 3, 2002) was a

Born on March 6, 1926, in Waurika, Oklahoma, Puckett grew up in Roswell, New Mexico. He joined the United States Marine Corps on 18 February 1944 at Santa Fe, New Mexico, and went through recruit training at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, California. Moving north, he joined the 5th Marine Division at Camp Pendleton. He trained with the division and as a rifleman and landed in the Battle of Iwo Jima on 19 February 1945. Puckett later witnessed the famous flag raising on Mount Suribachi on 23 February 1945. Following the Iwo campaign, he was sent back to Camp Pendleton where he served as a military policeman until his discharge in 1946.

Military career

Puckett returned to the Marine Corps in July 1947, and was returned to San Diego. In late 1947, he received orders to sea duty and spent two and a half years aboard the cruiser USS Columbus. He was promoted to corporal in May 1948, then returned to San Diego where he served as a drill instructor until 1951.

As a

Puckett died on September 3, 2002, and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.^[2]

Awards and decorations

Puckett's military decorations include:^[3][4]

Navy Cross citation

The Navy Cross is presented to Clinton A. Puckett (560129), Technical Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as a Platoon Sergeant of Company G, Third Battalion, Fifth Marines, First Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in the Republic of Korea on the night of 21 June 1952. With his patrol unit occupying positions well forward of a friendly outpost when a vastly outnumbering enemy force suddenly pinned down the patrol by enveloping both flanks with small-arms and grenade fire, Staff Sergeant Puckett repeatedly exposed himself to the devastating fire in order to cover the withdrawal of his men. Employing a submachine gun to harass and throw the enemy off balance, he accounted for four enemy dead and, although wounded in the left hand by grenade fragments, continued to deliver accurate fire until the rear of the patrol had left the area. Upon returning to the outpost and discovering that three of his men were missing, Staff Sergeant Puckett organized a small rescue party and went back into hostile territory to search for his comrades. After a brief skirmish with the enemy, he located the three missing men, two of whom were seriously wounded in the legs, and assisted in returning them to the outpost. By his valiant leadership, inspiring fighting spirit and determined efforts in the face of heavy odds, Staff Sergeant Puckett was instrumental in saving several lives. His gallant actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.^[5]

References