"When we spoke in his apartment that October day, he mentioned that he was looking forward to "getting back to post" to visit the next generation of Army leaders. At age ninety, he was slowing down a little, but when we finished the interview, he stood and shook my hand. The Pucketts invited me to stay for lunch- barbeque from a local place- and more lively conversation. We debated the best hot sauce and enjoyed cookies, shaped like Ranger tabs, of course, for dessert. Throughout the visit we spoke as if we had known each other forever. That's the man Ralph Puckett, Jr. was: a decorated soldier, a selfless servant, a gentleman. You'll read about that battle during the Korean War, and his story, like every story in this book, will leave you in awe. When I think about the order he gave to his men to leave him on the hill, I know without a doubt that he was a man who would unhesitatingly give such an order. Maybe for that exact reason, his Rangers disobeyed the order and brought their commander and Ranger Buddy to safety. He was a treasure then and a treasure now. We all were blessed to have known him. Rest in Peace, Sir. Rangers Lead the Way."