James Buchanan "Bucky" Barnes was an American Soldier turned Soviet spy and assassin. He was recruited to the U.S. Army during World War II after being a ward of the state. He fought alongside his best friend, Captain America, the "Sentinel of Liberty"[5] and the Invaders,[27] and together they helped the Allies win the war. Bucky was believed to be dead near the end of the war, only to have been found and brainwashed by the Soviets led by Vasily Karpov, who made him the Winter Soldier.[3] He was sent on clandestine missions and committed some of the worst assassinations over the next 50 years.[28] His memory was returned to him decades later and he became the new Captain America after Steve Rogers was seemingly murdered and also joined the Avengers.[6][29] When Steve returned, he took up the identity of the Winter Soldier once again.[30]