Editor’s Note: This is the second in a year-long series taking a look at heroes from each state in the Union.

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Born March 17, 1925, in Juneau, Alaska Territory, Archie Van Winkle enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps on Dec. 14, 1942. During World War II, he served as an aviation radioman/gunner, fighting the Japanese in the Solomon Islands, Philippines and Emirau Island.

After his discharge on Oct. 22, 1945, Van Winkle studied physical education at Everett Junior College and the University of Washington. In March 1948, he re-enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves, becoming a member of Company A, 11th Infantry Battalion in Seattle.

On Aug. 7, 1950, Van Winkle’s unit was ordered to Camp Pendleton in California in response to the outbreak of war on the Korean Peninsula. Van Winkle was assigned to Company B, First Battalion of the Seventh Marine Regiment, First Marine Division (Reinforced) and deployed overseas.

On Sept. 15, 1950, 75,000 United Nations troops led by U.S. Gen. Douglas MacArthur participated in an amphibious attack at Incheon (Inchon), South Korea. The attack outflanked North Korean forces by striking at a weak point on the Yellow Sea, therefore allowing U.N. forces to officially recapture Seoul on Sept. 28. The First Marine Division was among those that participated in the attack. By November, Van Winkle had reached the rank of staff sergeant and was serving as a platoon sergeant.

With the success of the Inchon Landing and capture of Seoul, U.N. forces were able to push into North Korea, driving back the Korean People’s Army (KPA). On the night of Nov. 2, 1950, Van Winkle and his unit found themselves in combat against KPA forces in the North Korean town of Sudong. Under cover of darkness, numerous KPA troops broke through the center of Company B’s line, pinning down Van Winkle’s platoon with devastating fire and threatening to overrun their position.

Thinking quickly, Van Winkle rallied his men and led them straight on at the North Koreans through the deadly fire. A bullet shattered his elbow, rendering his arm useless, but Van Winkle continued, allowing his platoon to reorganize and gain firepower superiority against the KPA forces.

But the fight was far from over. Realizing that the squad on the platoon’s left flank was isolated, Van Winkle ran for 40 yards through enemy fire to reunite the squad with the rest of the platoon. While trying to link up, an enemy grenade exploded near Van Winkle, causing severe wounds to his chest. But despite being injured and lying on the ground weakened by blood loss, Van Winkle refused to be evacuated and continued to shout encouraging words to his men. Through his inspiration, Van Winkle’s platoon repulsed the enemy attack. Van Winkle passed out from blood loss and was evacuated to Japan.

After recovering in Japan and the United States, Van Winkle briefly served as a Marine guard at the Bremerton, Washington, naval base. On July 16, 1951, he was released from active duty and assigned to the 10th Infantry Battalion, Marine Corps Reserves.

For his actions at Sudong, Van Winkle was summoned to the White House, where on Feb. 6, 1952, President Harry Truman presented him with the Medal of Honor. The next day, Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Lemuel Shepherd Jr. swore Van Winkle in as a second lieutenant.

Van Winkle continued to serve in various roles, once again distinguishing himself in combat during service in Vietnam. He retired with the rank of colonel in February 1974. Aside from the Medal of Honor, Van Winkle also received a Bronze Star with Combat “V” and a Gold Star in lieu of a second award, a Purple Heart, the Presidential Unit Citation and the Navy Unit Commendation, among other awards.

After the service, Van Winkle lived on a boat in Bar Harbor near Ketchikan, Alaska, Where he died on May 22, 1986. He was cremated and his remains were scattered at sea in the Tongass Narrows, part of southeast Alaska’s Inside Passage.