From the VETERANS series:

Leroy Archible
U.S. Marine Corps, Korea
Dates of service: 1950 -1960

“In the Marine Corps no one guy suffers- everyone carries the load.”
-Leroy Archible, July 17, 2012

Leroy R. Archible has been an unsung hero in the Bronx community for over 30 years. Archie, a Veteran of the United States Marines, has served his country and community. He continues the legacy and tradition of African american perseverance within Bronx County and throughout New York City.

Mr. Archible, better know as “Archie”, was born in Memphis, Tennessee on July 9, 1931. He attended high school in Louisville, Kentucky. After high school, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, where he served for 9 1/2 years - from January 1950 to 1960.

Archie’s military service included assigned duty locations such as the Korean War from 1951-1953; Marine Barracks Pearl Harbor, T. H.; Guam M. I.; Marine Barracks Camp Pendleton California; Okinawa S.P.; and Camp Del Mar California - Tank Repair School.

While serving in Korea, he was awarded the following; Korean Service Medals with 4 Bronze Stars; National Defense Service Medal; Korean President Unit Citation; United Nations Service Medal (Korea); and Good Conduct Medal w/two (2) Bronze Stars.

After his military discharge, he migrated to Bronx, New York where he became actively involved in his community while employed in the following capacities; The Summer Youth Employment Program- as Football Coach and Sports Director for the Morrisania Youth and community Service Center; and The New York Division for Youth - as Youth Division Counselor.

Mr. Archible’s involvement in the Bronx community includes a long history of volunteerism such as; Assistant District Manager at Community Board #3, Bx NY; Member of Community Board Bx, NY as 1st Vice Chairperson and Chairperson of the Parks & Recreation Committee; and Chairperson of the Historical Research Committee. His volunteerism further extended into the following areas at Bronx Lebanon: as Treasurer for Bronx Lebanon Hospital and Mental Health & Ambulatory Advisory Board, and hospital’s Institutional Review Board; also the newly formed Community Advisory Board of Child Health; and as Secretary of Bronx Lebanon Integrated Services System, Inc. (B.L.I.S. S.) - with the shared mission to service the health needs of the underserved community. In addition, appoints by Gov. David Paterson for 1 year to serve on N. Y. S. Division of Veteran Affairs.

In addition to the aforementioned, Mr. Archible is the former President of Morrisania Kiwanis Club - Bronx/Westchester Division. He is a member of the Bronx Colt Youth Services Foundation Board; and former Commander of the American Legion 1095 Mitchell & Royal Post. In November 2009 he retired as Human Rights Specialist of the New York City Commission on Human Rights, New York, NY.

Presently, Mr. Archible hold the following positions and affiliations: Cofounder of the Friends of Charlton Garden (established 2004),and committee President; Commander of the Charleton & Thompson Bronx Chapter #0029 of NABVETS (National Association for Black Veterans) - Bronx Chapter 10457-1423; also a member of the Bronx African & American History Project - as History Researcher for the Bronx, he’s affiliated with Montford Point Marines Association, Inc. (as an Inactive Life member); the Bronx Chapter DAV (Life member); and B.L.I.S.S. (of Bronx Lebanon).