World War II Honoree

Royal H. Puckett

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Mt. Olive, North Carolina

Honored By

John R. Puckett

ENTERED THE U.S. ARMY APRIL 12, 1943 AND SERVED WITH THE 254TH ENGINEER COMBAT BATTALION FROM MID-OCTOBER 1943, WHEN HE ARRIVED IN ENGLAND. KILLED IN ACTION IN NORTHERN BELGIUM ON DECEMBER 17, 1944 DURING THE EARLY DAYS OF THE ARDENNES CAMPAIGN, BATTLE OF THE BULGE. PRIOR TO ARDENNES, OTHER CAMPAIGNS INCLUDED NORMANDY, NORTHERN FRANCE AND THE RHINELAND. FOR EXTRAORDINARY AND COURAGEOUS ACTIONS DURING THE EARLY DAYS OF THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE, THE 254TH WAS AWARDED THE PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION, ARMY AND THE FRENCH CROIX DE GUERRE WITH A SILVER STAR.