From: Nostalgia Magazine - May 2001 publication - pages 44, 45 and 47.
Lt. Archie M. Buckley - Navy Hero, WSC Quarterback. by C. James Quann, WSU Registraqr Emeritus & Coordinator, Veterns Research.
Archie Myrl Buckley was born on July 16, 1906 in Colville, Washington. After starring four years at Colville High School, Archie blazed a brilliant 1926-1930 path through Washington State College athletics. He starred as a forward in basketball, a third baseman on the Cougar baseball team, and as a sensational quarterback. He graduated in June 1930, coached football for one year at Centralia High School, and in the fall of 1931 joined the staff at North Central High School as a teacher and head football coach.
He coached his team to the Spokane City football championship in 1933 and his teams were a force to contend with from that point on. In 1943 at the age of 36, Archie volunteered for naval duty and was assigned to the aircraft carrier, U.S.S.Saratoga.
He was awarded the Bronze Star for his heroism. The citation, signed by the Secretary of the Navy, on behalf of President Roosevelt read: "For heroic achievement as Catapult Officer on board the U.S.S. Saratoga in action against enemy Japanese forces near Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, on February 21, 1945. First to observe the Japanese plane headed in on a lightning course for his carrier, Lieutenant Buckley remained in the line of enemy strafing, desperatley striving to attract the attention of his crews and the pilots of two aircraft secured to the catapults. Refusing to seek cover for himself, he directed all his men to positions of comparative safety, and was still at his post when the attacker crashed into the forward end of the flight deck on the starboard side. Through his alert warning and gallant consideration of otehrs in the face of imminent peril to himself, the lives of several men were saved. His courageous conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."
Lt. Buckley was also awarded the Navy Cross and Purple Heart, posthumously. Ensign Leo Andrecht, one of the pilots Archie saved, wrote the following account of the kamikaze attack: "A plane director had just completed hooking my plane to the starboard catapult, when I suddenly saw Lt. Buckley frantically waving his arms to attract my attention. upon getting it, he then pointed starboard aft. As I turned to look aft I saw him trying to attract Ensign Powell's attention on the port catapult. I saw two enemy planes, one on starboard beam, coming in very fast and strafing with an obvious intent to flying in to the starboard side, the other, futher aft of which, I soon lost sight of. I unbuckley my shoulder straps and made the starboard life nets as the first bomb hit the port catapult. I sincerely believe that Lt. Buckley's courage to stay and warn us of the impending danger, before seeking safety himself, kept me from possible death or serious burn."
Lieutenant Archie Buckley was survived by his wife, Mary Maude, a son James, and a daughter Betty Moe. During his life and after his untimely death, Archie received many honors including induction into the WSU Athletic Hall of Fame. In his memory the Archie Buckley Inspirational Award is annually awarded to a member of the North Central High School football team.
Lt. Archie M. Buckley - Navy Hero, WSC Quarterback. by C. James Quann, WSU Registraqr Emeritus & Coordinator, Veterns Research.
Archie Myrl Buckley was born on July 16, 1906 in Colville, Washington. After starring four years at Colville High School, Archie blazed a brilliant 1926-1930 path through Washington State College athletics. He starred as a forward in basketball, a third baseman on the Cougar baseball team, and as a sensational quarterback. He graduated in June 1930, coached football for one year at Centralia High School, and in the fall of 1931 joined the staff at North Central High School as a teacher and head football coach.
He coached his team to the Spokane City football championship in 1933 and his teams were a force to contend with from that point on. In 1943 at the age of 36, Archie volunteered for naval duty and was assigned to the aircraft carrier, U.S.S.Saratoga.
He was awarded the Bronze Star for his heroism. The citation, signed by the Secretary of the Navy, on behalf of President Roosevelt read: "For heroic achievement as Catapult Officer on board the U.S.S. Saratoga in action against enemy Japanese forces near Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, on February 21, 1945. First to observe the Japanese plane headed in on a lightning course for his carrier, Lieutenant Buckley remained in the line of enemy strafing, desperatley striving to attract the attention of his crews and the pilots of two aircraft secured to the catapults. Refusing to seek cover for himself, he directed all his men to positions of comparative safety, and was still at his post when the attacker crashed into the forward end of the flight deck on the starboard side. Through his alert warning and gallant consideration of otehrs in the face of imminent peril to himself, the lives of several men were saved. His courageous conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."
Lt. Buckley was also awarded the Navy Cross and Purple Heart, posthumously. Ensign Leo Andrecht, one of the pilots Archie saved, wrote the following account of the kamikaze attack: "A plane director had just completed hooking my plane to the starboard catapult, when I suddenly saw Lt. Buckley frantically waving his arms to attract my attention. upon getting it, he then pointed starboard aft. As I turned to look aft I saw him trying to attract Ensign Powell's attention on the port catapult. I saw two enemy planes, one on starboard beam, coming in very fast and strafing with an obvious intent to flying in to the starboard side, the other, futher aft of which, I soon lost sight of. I unbuckley my shoulder straps and made the starboard life nets as the first bomb hit the port catapult. I sincerely believe that Lt. Buckley's courage to stay and warn us of the impending danger, before seeking safety himself, kept me from possible death or serious burn."
Lieutenant Archie Buckley was survived by his wife, Mary Maude, a son James, and a daughter Betty Moe. During his life and after his untimely death, Archie received many honors including induction into the WSU Athletic Hall of Fame. In his memory the Archie Buckley Inspirational Award is annually awarded to a member of the North Central High School football team.
From: Nostalgia Magazine - May 2001 publication - pages 44, 45 and 47.
Lt. Archie M. Buckley - Navy Hero, WSC Quarterback. by C. James Quann, WSU Registraqr Emeritus & Coordinator, Veterns Research.
Archie Myrl Buckley was born on July 16, 1906 in Colville, Washington. After starring four years at Colville High School, Archie blazed a brilliant 1926-1930 path through Washington State College athletics. He starred as a forward in basketball, a third baseman on the Cougar baseball team, and as a sensational quarterback. He graduated in June 1930, coached football for one year at Centralia High School, and in the fall of 1931 joined the staff at North Central High School as a teacher and head football coach.
He coached his team to the Spokane City football championship in 1933 and his teams were a force to contend with from that point on. In 1943 at the age of 36, Archie volunteered for naval duty and was assigned to the aircraft carrier, U.S.S.Saratoga.
He was awarded the Bronze Star for his heroism. The citation, signed by the Secretary of the Navy, on behalf of President Roosevelt read: "For heroic achievement as Catapult Officer on board the U.S.S. Saratoga in action against enemy Japanese forces near Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, on February 21, 1945. First to observe the Japanese plane headed in on a lightning course for his carrier, Lieutenant Buckley remained in the line of enemy strafing, desperatley striving to attract the attention of his crews and the pilots of two aircraft secured to the catapults. Refusing to seek cover for himself, he directed all his men to positions of comparative safety, and was still at his post when the attacker crashed into the forward end of the flight deck on the starboard side. Through his alert warning and gallant consideration of otehrs in the face of imminent peril to himself, the lives of several men were saved. His courageous conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."
Lt. Buckley was also awarded the Navy Cross and Purple Heart, posthumously. Ensign Leo Andrecht, one of the pilots Archie saved, wrote the following account of the kamikaze attack: "A plane director had just completed hooking my plane to the starboard catapult, when I suddenly saw Lt. Buckley frantically waving his arms to attract my attention. upon getting it, he then pointed starboard aft. As I turned to look aft I saw him trying to attract Ensign Powell's attention on the port catapult. I saw two enemy planes, one on starboard beam, coming in very fast and strafing with an obvious intent to flying in to the starboard side, the other, futher aft of which, I soon lost sight of. I unbuckley my shoulder straps and made the starboard life nets as the first bomb hit the port catapult. I sincerely believe that Lt. Buckley's courage to stay and warn us of the impending danger, before seeking safety himself, kept me from possible death or serious burn."
Lieutenant Archie Buckley was survived by his wife, Mary Maude, a son James, and a daughter Betty Moe. During his life and after his untimely death, Archie received many honors including induction into the WSU Athletic Hall of Fame. In his memory the Archie Buckley Inspirational Award is annually awarded to a member of the North Central High School football team.
Lt. Archie M. Buckley - Navy Hero, WSC Quarterback. by C. James Quann, WSU Registraqr Emeritus & Coordinator, Veterns Research.
Archie Myrl Buckley was born on July 16, 1906 in Colville, Washington. After starring four years at Colville High School, Archie blazed a brilliant 1926-1930 path through Washington State College athletics. He starred as a forward in basketball, a third baseman on the Cougar baseball team, and as a sensational quarterback. He graduated in June 1930, coached football for one year at Centralia High School, and in the fall of 1931 joined the staff at North Central High School as a teacher and head football coach.
He coached his team to the Spokane City football championship in 1933 and his teams were a force to contend with from that point on. In 1943 at the age of 36, Archie volunteered for naval duty and was assigned to the aircraft carrier, U.S.S.Saratoga.
He was awarded the Bronze Star for his heroism. The citation, signed by the Secretary of the Navy, on behalf of President Roosevelt read: "For heroic achievement as Catapult Officer on board the U.S.S. Saratoga in action against enemy Japanese forces near Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, on February 21, 1945. First to observe the Japanese plane headed in on a lightning course for his carrier, Lieutenant Buckley remained in the line of enemy strafing, desperatley striving to attract the attention of his crews and the pilots of two aircraft secured to the catapults. Refusing to seek cover for himself, he directed all his men to positions of comparative safety, and was still at his post when the attacker crashed into the forward end of the flight deck on the starboard side. Through his alert warning and gallant consideration of otehrs in the face of imminent peril to himself, the lives of several men were saved. His courageous conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."
Lt. Buckley was also awarded the Navy Cross and Purple Heart, posthumously. Ensign Leo Andrecht, one of the pilots Archie saved, wrote the following account of the kamikaze attack: "A plane director had just completed hooking my plane to the starboard catapult, when I suddenly saw Lt. Buckley frantically waving his arms to attract my attention. upon getting it, he then pointed starboard aft. As I turned to look aft I saw him trying to attract Ensign Powell's attention on the port catapult. I saw two enemy planes, one on starboard beam, coming in very fast and strafing with an obvious intent to flying in to the starboard side, the other, futher aft of which, I soon lost sight of. I unbuckley my shoulder straps and made the starboard life nets as the first bomb hit the port catapult. I sincerely believe that Lt. Buckley's courage to stay and warn us of the impending danger, before seeking safety himself, kept me from possible death or serious burn."
Lieutenant Archie Buckley was survived by his wife, Mary Maude, a son James, and a daughter Betty Moe. During his life and after his untimely death, Archie received many honors including induction into the WSU Athletic Hall of Fame. In his memory the Archie Buckley Inspirational Award is annually awarded to a member of the North Central High School football team.
Inscription
In Memory of
Archie M Buckley
Lost his life on the Saratoga
2120 N 146 E of Iwo Jima
Gone but not forgotten
Gravesite Details
Located Highland 1st addition: with grandparents: Henry & Adelade Masterson
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
