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Korean War Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient
Colonel Archie Van Winkle, USMC
Colonel Archie Van Winkle, who earned the Medal of Honor in Korea for leading a daring charge during which a bullet shattered his arm and an enemy hand grenade exploded against his chest, died on 22 May 1986.
The action came during the night of 2 November 1950, near Sudong, Korea. Lieutenant Colonel Van Winkle, then an infantry platoon sergeant, led the charge through withering enemy fire until felled by the grenade.
Even then he refused to be evacuated, and continued to shout orders and encouragement to his men while lying on the ground weak from loss of blood. His heroic leadership enabled the outnumbered platoon to repulse a fanatical enemy attack. His citation states:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a platoon sergeant in Company B, First Battalion, Seventh Marines, First Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Sudong, Korea, on 2 November 1950.
Immediately rallying the men in his area after a fanatical and numerically superior enemy force penetrated the center of the line under cover of darkness and pinned down the platoon with a devastating barrage of deadly automatic weapons and grenade fire, Staff Sergeant Van Winkle boldly spearheaded a determined attack through withering fire against hostile frontal positions and though he and all the others who charged with him were wounded, succeeded in enabling his platoon to gain the fire superiority and the opportunity to reorganize.
Realizing that the left-flank squad was isolated from the rest of the unit, he rushed through 40 yards of fierce enemy fire to reunite his troops despite an elbow wound which rendered one his arms totally useless. Severely wounded a second time when a direct hit in the chest from a hostile hand grenade caused serious and painful wounds, he staunchly refused evacuation and continued to shout orders and words of encouragement to his depleted and battered platoon.
Finally carried from his position unconscious from shock and loss of blood, Staff Sergeant Van Winkle served to inspire all who observed him to heroic efforts in successfully repulsing the enemy attack.
His superb leadership, valiant fighting spirit and unfaltering devotion to duty in the face of heavy odds reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.
President Truman presented him the Nations highest decoration during ceremonies, 6 February 1952, at the White House. The following day he was sworn in a second lieutenant by General Lemuel C. Sheperd, Jr., Commandant of the Marine Corps, having qualified under the meritorious noncommissioned officer program.
A combat veteran of World War II, Lieutenant Van Winkle was called to active duty with the Reserve after the outbreak of hostilities in Korea, and was released to inactive duty 16 July 1951.
Born 17 March 1925 at Juneau, Alaska, Colonel Van Winkle attended public school in Darrington, Washington. An ardent athlete, he captained both the boxing and football teams at Darrington High School, where he also played baseball and basketball. He entered the University of Washington in Seattle to study physical education, but left after a few months to enlist in the Marine Corps Reserve on 14 December 1942.
During almost three years of active duty, he served as an aviation radioman-gunner and mechanic, participating in the Solomons, Philippines and Emirau operations. On 22 October 1945, he received his honorable discharge.
He continued his studies in physical education for two years at Everett Junior College and for another year at the University of Washington. In March 1948, he rejoined the Reserve and became a member of A Company, Eleventh Infantry Battalion, at Seattle.
The battalion was mobilized and ordered to Camp Pendleton, California, on 7 August 1950. Late that month he arrived in Korea and participated in the Inchon landing. On 2 November he was wounded in combat near Sudong, Korea, during the action which earned him the Medal of Honor.
Evacuated to Japan and later to the United States, he subsequently served for several months with the Marine guards at the Naval Base, Bremerton, Washington. He was released from active duty on 16 July 1951, and was attached to the Tenth Infantry Battalion, USMCR, at Seattle. Later recalled to active duty, he attended Basic School at Marine Corps Schools, Quantico, from November 1952 to May 1953.
Colonel Van Winkle completed Air Observation School at Quantico that November and was assigned as an Air Observer with the 3d Marine Division then at Camp Pendleton. He was later Assistant G-3 of Force Troops, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific, then served as a company executive officer and company commander, respectively, with the 3d Battalion, 9th Marines, 3d Marine Division. In 1955, he was assigned as Regimental Liaison Officer, 9th Marines.
From November 1955 until April 1958, he served as Assistant Officer in Charge of the Marine Corps Recruiting Station, Indianapolis, Indiana. In May 1958, he was named Commanding Officer of the Marine Detachment aboard the USS Newport News. Following two years in this assignment, he was assigned to the college degree program at the University of Washington, Seattle, where he received his BA degree in History in June 1961.
Transferred to Hawaii that month, Colonel Van Winkle was assigned as a company commander with the 3d Reconnaissance Battalion, 4th Marines, 1st Marine Brigade. In April 1962, he became Director of the 1st Marine Brigade Schools and was credited with the establishment of a Brigade Guerrilla Warfare School. Earlier, as part of a special observer group sent to Vietnam in late February 1962, he was commended by General Paul D. Harkins, USA, head of the United States Military Assistance Command in Vietnam, and Admirals H.D. Felt and J.H. Sides, CINCPAC, and CINCPAC Fleet commanders, respectively. He was promoted to major in August 1962.
In June 1964, Colonel Van Winkle reported to the Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama. Upon graduation in June 1965, he was assigned duty as Manpower Analyst and, later, Head, Operating Forces Section, Manpower Control Branch, G-1 Division, at Headquarters Marine Corps. While serving in his capacity, he was promoted to lieutenant colonel, 1 July 1967.
Colonel Van Winkles next duty assignment was in the Republic of Vietnam. He served consecutively as Commanding Officer, 2d Battalion, 1st Marines; G-3 Operations Officer, 1st Marine Division; and as Assistant G-3, Task Force X-Ray, Sub Unit #1, 1st Marine Division, from August 1967 to September 1968, and earned the Bronze Star Medal with Combat V. A Gold Star in lieu of a second Bronze Star Medal with Combat V was awarded him for heroic achievement on 6 July 1968 on Hill 689 near Khe Sanh Combat Base. He also received the Vietnamese Gallantry Cross with Gold Star.
After his return to the United States, he was again assigned to the G-1 Division at Headquarters Marine Corps, this time as Head, Standards and Utilization Section, Manpower Control Branch. Colonel Van Winkle retired in February 1974.
A complete list of his medals and decorations include: the Medal of Honor; the Bronze Star Medal with Combat V and Gold Star in lieu of a second award; the Purple Heart; the Presidential Unit Citation; the Navy Unit Commendation with one bronze star; the American Campaign Medal; the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with three bronze stars; the World War II Victory Medal; the National Defense Service Medal with one bronze star; the Korean Service Medal with two bronze stars; the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal; the Vietnamese Gallantry Cross with Gold Star, the Vietnam Service Medal with three bronze stars; the United Nations Service Medal; the Philippine Liberation Ribbon; two Korean Presidential Unit Citations; and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.
CITATION:
Rank: Staff Sergeant Organization: U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, Company B, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Reinforced). Place and date: Vicinity of Sudong, Korea, Nov. 2, 1950. Entered service at: Arlington, Wash. Birth: 1925, Juneau, Alaska. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a Platoon Sergeant in Company B, First Battalion, Seventh Marines, First Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in the vicinity of Sudong, Korea, on 2 November 1950. Immediately rallying the men in his area after a fanatical and numerically superior enemy force penetrated the center of the line under cover of darkness and pinned down the platoon with a devastating barrage of deadly, automatic weapons and grenade fire, Staff Sergeant Van Winkle boldly spearheaded a determined attack through withering fire against hostile frontal positions and, though he and all the others who charged with him were wounded, succeeded in enabling his platoon to gain the fire superiority and the opportunity to reorganize. Realizing that the left-flank squad was isolated from the rest of the unit, he rushed through forty yards of fierce enemy fire to reunite his troops despite an elbow wound which rendered one of his arms totally useless. Severely wounded a second time when a direct hit in the chest from a hostile hand grenade caused serious and painful wounds, he staunchly refused evacuation and continued to shout orders and word of encouragement to his depleted and battered platoon. Finally carried from his position unconscious from shock and loss of blood, Staff Sergeant Van Winkle served to inspire all who observed him to heroic efforts in successfully repulsing the enemy attack. His superb leadership, valiant fighting spirit and unfaltering devotion to duty in the face of heavy odds reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.
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