WASHINGTON - A retired Army officer became one of the most decorated soldiers in U.S. military history on Friday, receiving the Medal of Honor from President Joe Biden at the White House more than 70 years after leading soldiers through a fierce attack by Chinese forces during the Korean War. 

Col. Ralph Puckett, 94, stood ramrod straight in a dress uniform while surrounded by a contingent of soldiers old and young as Biden draped the medal around his neck.

Among those in attendance were South Korean President Moon Jae-in, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and several senior military officers.

Puckett was long ago awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, the nation's second-highest award for valor in combat, for his actions on Hill 205, the high ground that he and his soldiers sought to protect in the battle on Nov. 25-26, 1950. It came near the outset of the Battle of the Chongchon River, in which senior U.S. commanders were caught by surprise by China's full-scale entry into the Korean War.

The effort to upgrade Puckett's award in the battle began in 2003 when John Lock, a retired officer, sent a petition to the Army. Lock, who had studied Puckett's actions, submitted numerous requests for consideration, ultimately winning on appeal.

Puckett now moves into a rarefied air, even for Medal of Honor recipients recognized for valor. He also has a Distinguished Service Cross, two Silver Stars, and two Bronze Stars with V device for valor in the Vietnam War, and five Purple Hearts for injuries suffered in combat.

Puckett has for years served as a spiritual leader for the Army Rangers, an elite light infantry force that specializes in raids. He regularly visits Fort Benning, Ga., the home of Ranger School, from his home in nearby Columbus, and as an honorary colonel for the 75th Ranger Regiment, traveling overseas with Army commanders in his 80s.

In North Korea, Puckett is credited with leading the Eighth Army Ranger Company, a force of about 50 soldiers that he helped select and train. He braved machine-gun fire repeatedly in freezing temperatures as his soldiers took Hill 205, only to learn within hours that they were vastly outnumbered as China entered the Korean War.

Chinese forces launched numerous swarming attacks on the Ranger company at night on the hill, wounding Puckett in the feet, buttocks and left arm. He ordered his men to leave him behind as the Americans were in danger of being overrun. Two privates first class, Billy G. Walls and David L. Pollock, refused and carried him to safety. They were later awarded Silver Stars for their own valor that day.