Biden awards 1st Medal of Honor to Korean war hero

President Joe Biden awarded his first Medal of Honor Friday to a 94-year-old retired Army colonel for bravery under enemy fire more than a half-century ago in the Korean War. It took a policy change for retired Col. Ralph Puckett Jr. to receive the military's highest honor. The 2020 defense policy bill removed a requirement that such awards be given within five years of a valorous act.

"Today we are hosting a true American hero and awarding an honor that is long overdue — more than 70 years overdue," Biden said. "Though I understand that your first response to us hosting this event was to ask why all the fuss."

South Korean President Moon Jae-in also attended the White House ceremony ahead of his summit with Biden, making him the first foreign leader to do so.