Loved ones bid farewell to Navy commander

Whether one knew him as Lucien, Bud, Daddy Bud, or DB, the retired Navy Lt. Commander (LCDR) left a legacy of footprints in the lives of everyone who knew him.
“He has a legacy of serving. A legacy of serving God, country, family and friends,” Mark Puckett, son, said.
LCDR Lucien E. Puckett served with the United States Navy in WWII and the Korean War. Beginning his career in the Navy as an enlisted, he served as a corpsman aboard a heavy cruiser in WWII. Puckett seized the opportunity to use the GI Bill to further his career and education.
“He came out of WWII as an enlisted. Between WWII and Korea, he used the GI Bill and completed his education in pharmacy,” Mark said.
Having received the nickname “Bud” during his service in the Navy, Bud set sail to serve his country in a second war, Korea, aboard the USS Repose.  The USS Repose was a Haven-class hospital ship holding 95 officers, 606 men, and containing a capacity to carry 800 patients. The floating medical facility was 520 feet long and contained the ability for casualties to be received on the ship directly by helicopter.
“They were out there caring for wounded men and pilots who were down,” Mark said.

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