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HOUGHTON -- Wilfred Archer is not one to brag, but if you listened to his life story, he is a veteran who deserves the recognition.

In 1943, at the age of 17, Archer joined the Coast Guard. He was stationed on the United States ship Middleton, working as an engineer gunner. He operated the winch that lowered the front landing craft during World War II’s invasion of the Philippines.

“I accumulated five major battle starts in my ribbons out there,” said veteran Wilfred Archer.

In 1948, Archer enlisted in the United States Air Force and began as a tugboat engineer, but when he saw planes flying above him, all he wanted to do was fly.

Archer was sent to Japan as a flight engineer and earned 18,000 flying hours.

“I happened to be in Kimpo, Korea when the North Koreans started their war. They came over and attacked the airbase at Kimpo, and my airplane was the biggest one sitting out there, so, of course, they had to get the biggest target so they shot up my airplane,” Archer said.

That plane was a C-54 and it was the first plane destroyed in the Korean War.

After spending four years in Korea, Archer was sent back to the U.S. and hauled supplies for Operation Blue Jay.

“They were building a base at Thule, and so we would fly equipment and supplies up there. They bulldozed the ice smooth, and they dye marked the edge of the runways so we’d land on the ice,” Archer said.

Soon after, he retired and worked in the Air Force Reserves, but in 1967 he was back in the air.

“I was a flight engineer on C-124s hauling supplies in and out of Vietnam,” Archer said.

After 31 years of service, Archer retired in 1974 and now at the age of 76, his achievements were entered into the Congressional Record, and the Keweenaw Care Corps honored him as this year’s Parade of Thanks Grand Marshal.

“I feel lucky, and speaking of recognition, it makes me proud,” Archer said.