Clinton A. PUCKETT 

Sgt. Major of the Marine Corps Served from 1973-1975 Passed away 
peacefully at his home on Tuesday, September 3, 2002. "Think of me 
as going overseas to take care of my troops, I'll see you again." 
Sergeant Major Clinton A. Puckett served as the 6th Sergeant Major 
of the Marine Corps from Feb. 1, 1973, until he retired from active 
duty on May 31, 1975. Born March 6, 1926, in Waurika, Okla., he 
grew up in Roswell, N.M. He joined the Marine Corps on Feb. 18, 
1944 at Santa Fe, N.M. and went through recruit training at the Marine 
Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, Calif. Moving north, he joined the 5th 
Marine Division at Camp Pendleton. He trained with the division and as 
a rifleman and landed on Iwo Jima on D-Day, Feb. 19, 1945. Puckett 
later witnessed the famous flag raising on Mount Suribachi on Feb. 23, 
1945. Sgt. Puckett career included: 1946-1948 he was promoted to 
Corporal and served on cruiser Columbus, in 1951 served as drill 
inspector. As a sergeant he was ordered to Korea with Company G, 
3rd Battalion, 5th Marine and was promoted to staff sergeant in 
October 1951. While on patrol in June 1952, Puckett earned the Navy 
Cross for extraordinary heroism against a vastly superior enemy force. 
His patrol, operating well forward of a friendly outpost, was pinned 
down by the enemy. Puckett ordered a withdrawal covering his men wit 
submachine gun fire, accounting for four enemy dead and although 
wounded in the left hand by grenade fragments, continued to cover his 
patrol's withdrawal. Upon returning to the outpost, Puckett discovered 
that three of his men were missing. He organized a small rescue party. 
After a brief skirmish in hostile territory, they located the missing 
Marines, two of whom were seriously wounded in the legs, and 
returned them to safety. In October 1955 he was promoted to Master 
Sergeant, First Sergeant of the Marine Barracks, Pearl Harbor in 1969, 
Sergeant Major in 1960, Sergeant Major of the 7th Marine in Vietnam 
in 1965. In 1973 assumed duties as The Sergeant Major of the Marine 
Corps. Sergeant Major Puckett's personal decorations include the 
Navy Cross, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Navy 
Commendation Medal with Combat "V" and the Combat Action 
Ribbon. Clinton (Tommy) Puckett and Elizabeth made their home 
among family and friends in Suquamish Surviving Family: Wife: 
Elizabeth Puckett; Daughters & Sons: Nancy Johnston, Kathleen & 
Jerry Kinsey, Christopher Puckett; Mother-in-law: Bertha Napoleon 
Aaro; Sisters: Marjorie Napoleon, Mary Mahaffey, Linda Napoleon, 
Inez Head, Christine Parks,; Brothers: Jerry Deputy, Duane Napoleon; 
Nieces & Nephews: Keli Hagen, Brooke Orsen, Enie Landsaw, Janet 
& Jami Sarrett, Channel Greer, Alicia & Jo Potts, Kay Fitzpatrick,; 
Nephews: Kenneth Potts, Alex & Johnny Potts, Robert & Kenneth 
Hagen, Charlie & Trenton Landsaw, Sean Sarrett, Eric & David Greer, 
Robert Bird, Aaron Napoleon, Johnny Puckett Memorial Service will 
be held at Miller Woodlawn, 5505 Kitsap Way, Bremerton 98310 at 
1:00 p.m., Monday, September 9, 2002. Reception following at 
Suquamish Tribal Center. SEMPER - FIDELIS "Forever Faithful" 

Published in print on 9/8/2002. 
Seattle Times