The United States Marine Corps has honored a Southern Shores native for his outstanding leadership performance while serving as a gunner.
Chief Warrant Officer 2 James B. Archbell, of 1st Battalion, 6th Marines (1/6), 2d Marine Division (2d MARDIV), was selected as the recipient of the 2019 Hulbert Trophy on April 14, by Gen. David Berger, Commandant of the Marine Corps.
Archbell is distinguished as the highest performing Infantry Weapons Officer at the time of nomination.
“I always felt that when the Marine Corps decided I was good enough to be commissioned I had a responsibility to transfer everything I had ever learned or experienced as an infantry small-unit leader to every infantryman that I ever ran across,” said Archbell.
“Being selected as this year’s Gunner Hulbert award recipient is an extremely humbling event,” Archbell said. “I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for all the Marines that I had the privilege to lead in combat, and all the leaders that I was fortunate enough to serve with and under. I am who I am today because of those Marines.”
To be selected, the Gunner must be recognized by their seniors, contemporaries, and subordinates as the Gunner who most exemplifies outstanding leadership, courage, and technical, tactical, and doctrinal expertise within the Marine Gunner community. They must clearly and distinguishably demonstrate the ideals of courage, resourcefulness, perseverance, and concern for the well-being of the Corps and their fellow Marines.
They must also exhibit qualities that have made an outstanding contribution to the development of esprit de corps, infantry advocacy, and the refinement of infantry and combat marksmanship doctrine, and possess extensive technical and tactical infantry weapons and combat marksmanship expertise.
Through personal example, they must set the standard that all other Marine Gunners and enlisted Marines seek to emulate.
“All nominees had exemplary records which indicated noteworthy leadership, courage and technical and tactical expertise,” Commandant Gen. Berger said in his comments accompanying the official announcement. “As expected, the competition was exceptionally keen.”
The Hulbert Trophy for Outstanding Leadership commemorates the service and leadership of Medal of Honor recipient Marine Gunner Henry Lewis Hulbert, U.S. Marine Corps, who was killed in action during the battle of Blanc Mont Ridge, France, on October 4, 1918.
This story originally appeared on OBXToday.com. Read More local stories here.
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