COLUMBUS, Ga. ( WRBL ) — Later this week the National Infantry Museum will dedicate a new memorial to those who fought in the Korean War.
On Monday, four bronze statues were put in place for the Thursday dedication that will be attended by Georgia Governor Brian Kemp. One of the figures is Korean War Medal of Honor recipient Colonel Ralph Puckett.
For the first time Col. Puckett’s widow, Jeannie, saw the 7-foot, 600-pound depiction of her husband. The war hero and U.S. Army Ranger died back in April at 97 years old. His memory came back to life in bronze at a place he revered.
“It’s him,” she said as the statue was uncrated for the first time.
Those were words that Oregon-based artist Jay Warren was waiting to hear.
“I am glad to hear you say that,” he said as he put put his arm around her and they looked at the bronze likeness together.
Warren was tasked with creating four bronze figures that are the centerpiece of a Korean War Memorial at the National Infantry Museum.
One of those was of Col. Puckett who was almost killed in a 1950 battle with Chinese forces in what is now North Korea.