Author Topic: BARFOOT, VAN T  (Read 1585 times)

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charlesoakwood

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BARFOOT, VAN T
« on: March 02, 2012, 08:37:32 PM »
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[blockquote]
http://homeofheroes.com/moh/citations_living/ii_a_barfoot.html

BARFOOT, VAN T.

Rank and organization: Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army, 157th Infantry, 45th Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Carano, Italy, 23 May 1944. Entered service at: Carthage, Miss. Birth: Edinburg, Miss. G.O. No.: 79, 4 October 1944.

Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty on 23 May 1944, near Carano, Italy. With his platoon heavily engaged during an assault against forces well entrenched on commanding ground, 2d Lt. Barfoot (then Tech. Sgt.) moved off alone upon the enemy left flank. He crawled to the proximity of 1 machine-gun nest and made a direct hit on it with a hand grenade, killing 2 and wounding 3 Germans. He continued along the German defense line to another machine-gun emplacement, and with his tommygun killed 2 and captured 3 soldiers. Members of another enemy machine-gun crew then abandoned their position and gave themselves up to Sgt. Barfoot. Leaving the prisoners for his support squad to pick up, he proceeded to mop up positions in the immediate area, capturing more prisoners and bringing his total count to 17. Later that day, after he had reorganized his men and consolidated the newly captured ground, the enemy launched a fierce armored counterattack directly at his platoon positions. Securing a bazooka, Sgt. Barfoot took up an exposed position directly in front of 3 advancing Mark VI tanks. From a distance of 75 yards his first shot destroyed the track of the leading tank, effectively disabling it, while the other 2 changed direction toward the flank. As the crew of the disabled tank dismounted, Sgt. Barfoot killed 3 of them with his tommygun. He continued onward into enemy terrain and destroyed a recently abandoned German fieldpiece with a demolition charge placed in the breech. While returning to his platoon position, Sgt. Barfoot, though greatly fatigued by his Herculean efforts, assisted 2 of his seriously wounded men 1,700 yards to a position of safety. Sgt. Barfoot's extraordinary heroism, demonstration of magnificent valor, and aggressive determination in the face of pointblank fire are a perpetual inspiration to his fellow soldiers.[/blockquote]

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The Congressional Medal of Honor Society announces that Colonel Van T. Barfoot, Medal of Honor recipient, passed away Friday, March 2, 2012 in Richmond, Virginia at age 92.
 
He was awarded the Medal of Honor by Lt. Gen. Alexander M. Patch III in Epinal, France, on September 28, 1944.
 
His heroic action occurred near Carano, Italy on May 23, 1944. Army Technical Sergeant Barfoot served as a Platoon Sergeant, 45th Infantry Division, 3d Platoon, Company L 3d Battalion, 157th Infantry.
 
Van Barfoot was a Choctaw Indian from Mississippi, and a second lieutenant in the Thunderbirds. On May 23, 1944,...


RIP Colonel, I'm sure no one mistook you for a REMF.


* It was necessary to insert a hyphen into the word m a c h i n e g u n, otherwise...

Offline AlanS

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Re: BARFOOT, VAN T
« Reply #1 on: March 03, 2012, 06:56:55 PM »
There's too few of the great generation left. ::USA:: ::praying::
"Malo periculosam, libertatem quam quietam servitutem."

Thomas Jefferson

Offline Glock32

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Re: BARFOOT, VAN T
« Reply #2 on: March 03, 2012, 07:29:09 PM »
Meanwhile, a 30 year old law student testifying before Congress that her fellow citizens should be on the hook to pay for her contraception so that she can afford to indulge in her right to be promiscuous, is lauded as brave and courageous.

"This is the country we live in now"
"The Fourth Estate is less honorable than the First Profession."

- Yours Truly

Online Libertas

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Re: BARFOOT, VAN T
« Reply #3 on: March 04, 2012, 03:09:43 PM »
RIP Van.

 ::USA::

A stark contrast it is G.  Too many have grown soft, and mostly in the head.
We are now where The Founders were when they faced despotism.

Offline Sectionhand

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Re: BARFOOT, VAN T
« Reply #4 on: March 05, 2012, 05:20:13 AM »
 ::USA::