Archie Van Winkle, Medal of Honor - Juneau, AK
Posted by: 
unimoggers
N 58° 17.780 W 134° 23.650
8V E 535513 N 6461862
Alaska's only Medal of Honor recipient, Archie Van Winkle earned it during the Korean conflict. God bless this man!
Waymark Code: WM3JB8
Location: Alaska, United States
Date Posted: 04/11/2008
Views: 47
From Wikipedia:
Colonel Archie Van Winkle (March 17, 1925 - May 22, 1986) was a United States Marine who was awarded Medal of Honor for his heroic actions as a United States Marine Corps Staff Sergeant during the Korean War.
During the night of 2 November 1950, near Sudong, Korea, SSgt Van Winkle, an infantry platoon sergeant, led a charge through withering enemy fire. A bullet shattered his arm and an enemy hand grenade exploded against his chest. 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 an enemy attack.
President Harry S. Truman presented Van Winkle the United States' highest military decoration during ceremonies at the White House on 6 February 1952.[1] The following day he was sworn in as second lieutenant by General Lemuel C. Shepherd, Jr., Commandant of the Marine Corps, having qualified under the “meritorious noncommissioned officer” program.
A combat veteran of World War II, he was called to active duty with the Marine Corps Reserve after the outbreak of hostilities in Korea and was released to inactive duty on 16 July 1951. Van Winkle again returned to active duty and served in combat during the Vietnam War.
Website pertaining to the memorial: [Web Link]
List if there are any visiting hours:
24/7 since it is outside.
Entrance fees (if it applies): 0
Type of memorial: Monument
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