MEDAL OF HONOR

Eighth Army

Eighth Army was officially activated at Memphis, Tennessee, on June 10, 1944 and soon thereafter, it deployed to the Southwest Pacific. Under the command of LTG Robert L. Eichelberger, Eighth Army methodically eliminated the last enemy resistance remaining on New Guinea and New Britain. From December 26, 1944 until August 15, 1945, Eighth Army was actively engaged in the reconquest of the Philippines – the largest joint campaign of the War in the Pacific. Collectively, the five “Victor” operations launched by Eighth Army would result in the liberation of the southern and central portions of the Philippine Archipelago – fully two-thirds of the land area of the Philippines. From February 19, to April 3, 1945, Eighth Army units (ranging from company-size teams to division-level task forces) conducted fourteen major amphibious assaults and twenty-four minor landings. During this 44-day period, Eighth Army averaged an assault landing every day and a half. Subsequently, it earned the nickname “Amphibious Eighth” – alluding to its participation in more than sixty amphibious assaults during World War II.

While combat operations were still on-going in the Philippines, Eighth Army simultaneously began preparations for Operation Downfall – the invasion of Japan. However, with the sudden surrender of the Japanese Empire on August 15, 1945, Eighth Army’s mission transitioned from one of conquest to one of occupation and it was the “Amphibious Eighth” that led the Army of Occupation into Japan. On December 31, 1945, Sixth Army was relieved of occupation duties and Eighth Army assumed an expanded role in the occupation, which encompassed the formidable tasks of disarmament, demilitarization, and democratization. These missions were flawlessly executed at the operational level by Eighth Army and it was the military occupation of Japan that ensured the economic recovery and political democratization of that island nation. With the outbreak of hostilities in Korea on June 25, 1950, Eighth Army would face another major challenge.

Due to the tactical situation that existed during the first six weeks of the Korean War, Republic of Korea and US ground forces were compelled to conduct an economy of force mission. Inherently risky and difficult to execute under the best of circumstances, a series of delays and withdrawals defined the ROK-US effort in the early stages of the Korean War. Running out of space to trade for time, Lieutenant General Walton H. Walker (Commanding General, Eighth Army) ordered his command to withdraw behind the Naktong River and establish a defensive posture oriented on terrain retention. On August 1, 1950, a defensive perimeter (labeled by journalists as the “Pusan Perimeter”) was organized. The successful defense of the Pusan Perimeter represented a defining moment in the Korean War; it set the stage for the UN Offensive.

The breakout from the Pusan Perimeter, in concert with the amphibious assault at Inchon on September 15, 1950, resulted in the collapse of the entire North Korean People’s Army. For all practical purposes, the NKPA had been defeated and any hope of continuing the war with North Korean forces alone was a concept wholly without merit. By October 1, 1950, Eighth Army reached the 38th parallel and on October 9, it began its main advance across this border – spearheaded by the 1st Cavalry Division and the 1st ROK Division. On October 19, these two divisions captured the North Korean capital of Pyongyang and on November 24, 1950, Eighth Army began its so-called “end-of-the-war offensive.” Final victory seemed imminent, but the situation would change with devastating suddenness.

On November 25, the full-scale intervention of the Chinese People’s Volunteer Army changed the entire complexity of the war and forced Eighth Army and X Corps (which were operating independently of each other at that time) to transition to the defense. With the advantage of surprise and numerical superiority, the CPVA launched multiple synchronized attacks that ultimately expelled friendly forces from North Korea and on January 4, 1951, Seoul would change hands for the third time within a six-month period. Before it could organize an effective line of defense, Eighth Army had withdrawn a total of 275 miles (which qualifies as the longest retreat in US military history). Subsequently, the “myth of the millions of Chinese in Korea” was widely circulated among the rank and file and rumors of vacating the peninsula were rampant.

By mid-January 1951, Eighth Army (now under the command of Lieutenant General Matthew B. Ridgway) launched a series of highly successful limited objective attacks. With emphasis on lateral security, these operations were “force oriented” as opposed to “terrain oriented.” Any ground that was taken was incidental to closing with and destroying the enemy. On March 15, 1951, Seoul was recaptured for the fourth and last time during the course of the war. By the end of the month, Eighth Army reached the 38th parallel and three weeks later, established strong defensive positions twenty miles beyond (in most sectors of the main line of resistance). By the spring of 1951, both opposing forces had concluded that the issue of achieving a decisive military victory was no longer a viable option as neither side wanted to expand the scope and scale of the conflict.

However, the Chinese Communists were determined to launch one last major effort to capture Seoul. Once this was achieved, they would advocate a cease-fire. With the capital of South Korea in their hands, the Communists would be in an enviable position to negotiate an armistice favorable to their own terms. The Fifth Phase Chinese Offensive (April 22 - July 8, 1951) qualified as the largest ground action of the Korean War. During this two-phased campaign, the Chinese People’s Volunteer Army failed miserably to achieve its primary objective and sustained catastrophic losses in the process. By the summer of 1951, the situation on the ground had developed into a holding action. Thus, it seemed mutually advantageous for the belligerents to initiate negotiations and to transfer a stalemated military situation to the conference table.

The history of the Korean War truce talks began on July 10, 1951 and after two years of intricate, verbose and exasperating dialogue, an armistice was finally consummated on July 27, 1953 – formally suspending full-scale hostilities on the peninsula. As the post-Armistice period began, Eighth Army assisted the Republic of Korea in relief and rehabilitation efforts and it continues to play a significant role in the common defense of South Korea. Today, there is no evidence to suggest that North Korea has abandoned its option of unifying the peninsula by force of arms.

To enhance and sustain mission accomplishment, the force structure of Eighth Army has transformed multiple times since its establishment. During World War II, it fought in the Pacific Theater of Operations as a field army. In the immediate post-World War II era, Eighth Army served in Japan as an Army of Occupation. During the Korea War, Eighth army served as both a field army and theater army and throughout the preponderance of the Cold War, it remained primarily a theater army. On November 20, 1954, it was merged with US Army Forces Far East (AFFE) as the major Army command in the region. On July 1, 1957, AFFE was discontinued and United States Forces Korea was officially activated; thus, Eighth Army was consolidated with USFK and the United Nations Command with headquarters in Seoul. This tri-command headquarters was commanded by General George H. Decker.

On November 7, 1978, General John W. Vessey, Jr. assumed command of the newly established ROK-US Combined Forces Command, while serving concurrently as the Commander of UNC and USFK and as the Commanding General, Eighth Army. On 1 December 1992, Eighth Army reverted to a three-star command billet and was separated from UNC/USFK/CFC. On March 13, 1998, Eighth Army was designated as the Army Service Component Command for USFK. This status was discontinued on January 23, 2012 when Eighth Army was redesignated as an operational-level Field Army Headquarters. Eighth Army relocated its headquarters from Yongsan to Camp Humphreys in the summer of 2017.

Today, Eighth Army supports United Nations Command (UNC)/Combined Forces Command (CFC)/United States Forces Korea (USFK) efforts to deter aggression on the Korean peninsula. On order, Eighth Army is prepared to conduct Noncombatant Evacuation Operations (NEO) and Reception, Staging, Onward Movement, and Integration (RSO&I) operations.

Operation Inherent Resolve

Operation Inherent Resolve

On Oct. 14, 2014, the Department of Defense formally established the Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF-OIR) in order to formalize ongoing military actions against the rising threat posed by ISIS in Iraq and Syria. Fueled by sectarian conflicts and division, ISIS ascended from relative obscurity in 2013 to propagate an extremist socio-political ideology, and claimed to have created an Islamic caliphate. Its’ successful acquisition of conventional weapons, establishment of armed formations, rapid territorial growth and unconscionable atrocities shocked the world and destabilized the region. By June 2014, the security situation in Iraq had deteriorated with the Iraqi cities of Mosul and Tikrit falling in rapid succession to ISIS aggressors.

CJTF-OIR was established by the United States Army Central Command (ARCENT), Camp Arifjan, Kuwait. On June 24, 2014, ARCENT was designated as the Joint Forces Land Component Command (JFLCC) for the conduct of operations in Iraq. This designation established the first operational headquarters since the departure of U.S. troops from the region in 2011. By August, JFLCC was engaged, taking the fight to ISIS via air operations. Defensive and offensive operations rapidly matured with the rescue of innocent Yazidi victims trapped on Sinjar Mountain, the recapture of the Mosul and Haditha Dams and the defense of Baghdad and Kirkuk. On Sept. 17, 2014, ARCENT was re-designated the Combined Forces Land Component Command. The command was authorized to conduct Combined Joint Operations in Iraq, which ultimately led to the formal establishment of CJTF-OIR. As CJTF-OIR grew, it encompassed the efforts and contributions of more than sixty Coalition partners throughout the Combined Joint Operations Area (CJOA) of Iraq and Syria.

III Corps assumed authority of CJTF-OIR from ARCENT on Sept. 22, 2015 and immediately initiated an aggressive plan to increase pressure on ISIS and bring new capabilities to bear throughout the theater of operations. Logisticians sustained the CJTF and delivered more than 146,000 tons of supplies and materiel with 1,700 ground and air movements. Additionally, more than $700 million worth of logistical contracts were executed to sustain operations throughout the CJOA.

Coalition fires were directed at ISIS leadership and infrastructure. Deliberate and dynamic precision airstrikes targeted ISIS economic infrastructure significantly degrading its ability to govern. More than 15,000 coalition airstrikes destroyed enemy military capabilities and provided freedom of maneuver to regional security and partner forces. Operation Tidal Wave II deprived ISIS of 80% of its oil collection facilities as well as $25 million a month in oil revenue, which negatively impacted ISIS military operations and halted enemy expansion. The adherence to strict rules of engagement, and the principles of necessity, distinction, proportionality and humanity, prevented unnecessary suffering among non-combatants in the conflict zones. Subsequent operations resulted in a dramatic contraction of ISIS controlled areas with the recovery of over 29,000 square kilometers in Syria and Iraq.

Increases in operational tempo, training and support to Iraqi Security Forces and Syrian opposition groups provided the foundation for broader strategic success. Iraqi and Syrian “Train and Equip Funds” provided the necessary assets and capabilities to achieve increasingly higher levels of partner participation. With comprehensive and consistent Coalition support, partner forces steadily gained the confidence needed to fight and win against ISIS. With CJTF-OIR’s operational support, 10,000 fighting personnel comprised of police, counterterrorism units and local tribal fighters acted in concert to liberate Ramadi in December 2015.

Following Ramadi’s liberation, Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), supported by CJTF-OIR Advise and Assist teams, reclaimed Shaddadi, a town in northeastern Syria. Shaddadi served as a critical node for training, logistics and revenue and was the main supply artery between the ISIS capital Raqqa and the Iraqi city of Mosul. Peshmerga forces, supported by CJTF-OIR elements, liberated Sinjar and numerous ISIS controlled towns east of Mosul. After 28 days of fighting, Iraqi forces recaptured Fallujah on June 26, 2016, which forced ISIS further away from Baghdad and paved the way for the liberation of the Euphrates River Valley. Following each success in Syria and Iraq, CJTF-OIR trained Wide Area Security Forces, assumed the responsibility for liberated areas, and enabled military formations to rest and transition to the next military objective.

XVIII Airborne Corps assumed authority from III Corps, on Aug. 21, 2016. The transfer of authority sustained and accelerated the plan to degrade and destroy ISIS. On Aug. 25, 2016, Iraqi elements seized the airfield at Qayyarah, thus positioning forces within close logistical striking distance of Mosul. Following a brief strategic pause, Iraqi forces, again supported by coalition fires, air support and targeting teams, began the battle for Mosul on Oct. 17, 2016, which cleared the eastern half of the city by Jan. 24, 2017.

In Syria, CJTF-OIR expanded the train and equip program and worked with Vetted Syrian Opposition (VSO) troops in multiple regions. This anti-ISIS group fought to secure the strategic isolation of Raqqa by clearing the city of Manbij on Aug. 15, 2016. Like their Iraqi counterparts, VSO partnered forces politically organized, policed and patrolled on previously ISIS-held ground to secure liberated territories. Near Raqqa, SDF forces relied upon Coalition airlift capabilities to transition combat forces across Lake Assad to encircle the Tabqah Dam, effectively isolating the city from the west as of April 2017. SDF began the assault on the city of Raqqa on June 6, 2017, and continue to make steady gains despite heavy resistance.

After a brief refit and consolidation of gains in East Mosul, Iraqi forces resumed the offensive on Feb. 19, 2017 to take the western side of the city. Iraqi formations fought through a multi-layered cordon of defenses, and engaged in house-to-house fighting. After nearly nine months of battle Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi declared the city of Mosul liberated on July 10, 2017. Coalition partners supported the Iraqi effort with observation, selective fires, and logistics while strategic decisions in the battle were made and implemented by the Iraqi Government and Commanders From October 2014 to July 2017, CJTF-OIR, Coalition, Syrian and Iraqi partnered forces working together have made enormous progress denying ISIS aspirations. Coalition forces have defeated insurgent counterattacks, reclaimed thousands of square kilometers and significantly weakened the ISIS terror infrastructure in Iraq and Syria. One Mission, Many Nations!

Official Citation

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, March 3, 1863, has posthumously awarded in the name of Congress the Medal of Honor to

Colonel (Ret.) Ralph Puckett Jr.

United States Army

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty:

First Lieutenant Ralph Puckett, Jr., distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty while serving as the commander 8th U.S. Army Ranger Company during the period of 25 November, 1950, through 26 November, 1950, in Korea.

As his unit commenced a daylight attack on Hill 205, the enemy directed mortar, machine gun, and small-arms fire against the advancing force. To obtain fire, First Lieutenant Puckett mounted the closest tank, exposing himself to the deadly enemy fire. Leaping from the tank, he shouted words of encouragement to his men and began to lead the Rangers in the attack.

Almost immediately, enemy fire threatened the success of the attack by pinning down one platoon. Leaving the safety of his position, with full knowledge of the danger, First Lieutenant Puckett intentionally ran across an open area three times to draw enemy fire, thereby allowing the Rangers to locate and destroy the enemy positions and to seize Hill 205.

During the night, the enemy launched a counterattack that lasted four hours. Over the course of the counterattack, the Rangers were inspired and motivated by the extraordinary leadership and courageous example exhibited by First Lieutenant Puckett. As a result, five human-wave attacks by a battalion-strength enemy — enemy element were repulsed.

During the first attack, First Lieutenant Puckett was wounded by grenade fragments, but refused evacuation and continually directed artillery support that decimated attacking enemy formations.

He repeatedly abandoned positions of relative safety to make his way from foxhole to foxhole, to check the company’s perimeter and to distribute ammunition amongst the Rangers.

When the enemy launched a sixth attack, it became clear to First Lieutenant Puckett that the position was untenable due to the unavailability of supporting artillery fire. During this attack, two enemy mortar rounds landed in his foxhole, inflicting grievous wounds, which limited his mobility.

Knowing his men were in a precarious situation, First Lieutenant Puckett commanded the Rangers to leave him behind and evacuate the area. Feeling a sense of duty to aid him, the Rangers refused the order and staged an effort to retrieve him from the foxhole while still under fire from the enemy.

Ultimately, the Rangers succeeded in retrieving First Lieutenant Puckett and they moved to the bottom of the hill, where First Lieutenant Puckett called for devastating artillery fire on the top of the enemy-controlled hill.

First Lieutenant Puckett’s extraordinary heroism and selflessness above and beyond the call of duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

President's Remarks

2:10 P.M. EST, October 15, 2013

THE PRESIDENT: Welcome to the White House. Last month, the United States Army released a remarkable piece of video. It's from the combat helmet cameras of a MedEvac helicopter crew in Afghanistan. It's shaky and grainy, but it takes us to the frontlines that our troops face every day. And in that video, as the helicopter touches down by a remote village, you see, out of a cloud of dust, an American Soldier.

He's without his helmet, standing in the open, exposing himself to enemy fire, standing watch over a severely wounded Soldier. He helps carry that wounded Soldier to the helicopter, and places him inside. Then, amidst the whipping wind and deafening roar of the blades, he does something unexpected. He leans in and kisses the wounded Soldier on the head -- a simple act of compassion and loyalty to a brother in arms. And as the door closes and the helicopter takes off, he turns and goes back the way he came, back into the heat of battle.

In our nation's history, we have presented our highest military decoration, the Medal of Honor, nearly 3,500 times for actions above and beyond the call of duty. But this may be the first time that we can actually bear witness to a small part of those actions for ourselves. And today we honor the American in that video -- the Soldier who went back in -- Captain William Swenson.

Not far away that day was then Corporal Dakota Meyer, to whom we presented the Medal of Honor two years ago. Today is only the second time in nearly half a century that the Medal of Honor has been awarded to two survivors of the same battle. Dakota is not here today, but I want to welcome some of the Soldiers and Marines who fought alongside both of these men, and the families of those who gave their lives that day.

Moments like this, Americans like Will, remind us what our country can be at its best -- a nation of citizens who look out for one another; who meet our obligations to one another, not just when it's easy, but when it's hard; especially when it's hard. Will, you're an example -- to everyone in this city, to our whole country -- of the professionalism and patriotism we should strive for -- whether we wear the uniform or not. Not just on particular occasions, but all the time.

For those who aren't familiar with the story of the battle that lead to Will being here today, I want to take you back to that September morning four years ago. It's around sunrise. A column of Afghan soldiers and their American advisors are winding their way up a narrow trail towards a village to meet with elders. But just as the first soldier reaches the outskirts of the village, all hell breaks loose.

Almost instantly, four Americans, three Marines, and a Navy corpsman at the front of the column are surrounded. Will and the Soldiers in the center of the column are pinned down. Rocket-propelled grenade, mortar, and machine gun fire, all of this is pouring in from three sides.

As he returns fire, Will calls for air support. But his initial requests are denied -- Will and his team are too close to the village. Then Will learns that his non-commissioned officer, Sergeant First Class Kenneth Westbrook, has been shot in the neck. So Will breaks across 50 meters of open space, bullets biting all around. Lying on his back, he presses a bandage to Kenneth's wound with one hand and calls for a MedEvac with the other, trying to keep his buddy calm.

By this time, the enemy has gotten even closer -- just 20 or 30 meters away. Over the radio, they're demanding the Americans surrender. Will stops treating Kenneth long enough to respond -- by lobbing a grenade.

Finally, after more than an hour and a half of fighting, air support arrives. Will directs them to nearby targets. Then it's time to move. Exposing himself again to enemy fire, Will helps carry Kenneth the length of more than two football fields, down steep terraces, to that helicopter. And then, in the moment captured by those cameras, Will leans in to say goodbye.

But more Americans -- and more Afghans -- are still out there. So Will does something incredible. He jumps behind the wheel of an unarmored Ford Ranger pickup truck. A Marine gets in the passenger seat. And they drive that truck -- a vehicle designed for the highway -- straight into the battle.

Twice, they pick up injured Afghan soldiers -- bullets whizzing past them, slamming into the pickup truck. Twice they bring them back. When the truck gives out, they grab a Humvee. The Marine by Will's side has no idea how they survived. But, he says, "by that time it didn't matter. We [were] not leaving any Soldiers behind."

Finally, a helicopter spots those four missing Americans -- hours after they were trapped in the opening ambush. So Will gets in another Humvee, with a crew that includes Dakota Meyer. And together, they drive. Past enemy fighters. Up through the valley. Exposed once more.

When they reach the village, Will jumps out -- drawing even more fire, dodging even more bullets. But they reach those Americans, lying where they fell. Will and the others carry them out, one-by-one. They bring their fallen brothers home.

Scripture tells us, "The greatest among you shall be your servant." Captain Will Swenson was a leader on that September morning. But like all good leaders, he was also a servant -- to the men he commanded, to the more than a dozen Afghans and Americans whose lives he saved, to the families of those who gave their last full measure of devotion on that far away field. As one of his fellow Soldiers later said, "Will did things that nobody else would ever do, and he did it for his guys, and for everybody on the ground, to get them out."

That's why after I called Will to tell him he'd be receiving this medal, one of the first things he did was to invite to this ceremony, those who fought alongside him. I'd like all of those who served with such valor, alongside Will -- both Army and Marines -- who fought for each other, please stand and be recognized.

Thank you. Will also reached out to the families of the four Americans who gave their lives that day. To them he wrote, and I'm quoting Will now, "We have never met. We have never spoken, but I would like to believe I know something about each of you through the actions of your loved ones that day. They were part of a team, and you are now part of that team."

So, I would ask the members of this team, the families of First Lieutenant Michael Johnson, Gunnery Sergeant Edwin Johnson, Gunnery Sergeant Aaron Kenefick, and Hospitalman Third Class James Layton, as well as the family of Kenneth Westbrook, to please stand.

Kenneth was the Soldier Will delivered to the safety of that helicopter. After being airlifted out, he made it to Walter Reed. He started rehab, and spent time with his wife Charlene, who joins us her today. She still remembers the first time she spoke to Will, when he called from Afghanistan, to check in on Kenneth. Soon after that phone call, however, Kenneth took a turn for the worst. He succumbed to complications from his treatment. I think it's safe to say that Charlene will always be grateful for the final days she was able to spend with her husband. Even now, a month rarely goes by when Will doesn't call or text, checking in with Charlene and her three boys. "That's the kind of man he is," Charlene says about Will. "You don't have to ask Will for help. He just knows when to be there for you."

So, Will Swenson was there for his brothers. He was there for their families. As a nation, we thank God that patriots like him are there for us all. So, Will, God bless you and all the men you've fought alongside, and for everything you've done for us. God bless all of our men and women in uniform. God bless the United States of America.

With that, I'd like my military to read the citation please.

[the citation is read and the medla is presented]

(Applause.)

THE PRESIDENT: Let me say once again, not only to Will, but to all our men and women in uniform, who have served us with such incredible courage and professionalism, that America is grateful for you. To the families of those we've lost, we will never forget.

Will, you are a remarkable role model for all of us, and we're very grateful for your service.

We are going to have a reception after this. I hear the food is pretty good around here. I hope all of you have a chance to stay, and for those of you who have a chance to thank Will personally, this is very welcome. I'm going to be exiting with Will and Michelle, first. We'll take a couple of pictures. Enjoy yourselves this afternoon.

God bless America.

END 2:30 P.M. EST

Hall of Heroes Induction

CEREMONY REMARKS | October 16, 2013