FReeper Canteen ~ Hall of Heroes: Van Thomas Barfoot ~ 29 January 2024

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[Kathy in Alaska]

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~ Hall of Heroes ~

Van Thomas Barfoot
Story from this website.

           

Van T. Barfoot (June 15, 1919 - March 2, 2012) is a retired United States Army officer and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in World War II.

Barfoot was born on June 15, 1919, in Edinburg, Mississippi. His grandmother was Choctaw, but Barfoot himself was never an official member of the Choctaw Nation; although he was eligible, his parents had never enrolled him.

After enlisting in the Army from Carthage, Mississippi, in 1940 and completing his training, Barfoot served with the 1st Infantry Division in Louisiana and Puerto Rico. In December 1941, he was promoted to sergeant and re-assigned to the Headquarters Amphibious Force Atlantic Fleet in Quantico, Virginia, which he served with until it was deactivated in 1943. He next joined the 157th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division, and was sent to Europe.

As part of the Italian Campaign, Barfoot participated in a series of amphibious landings: the Allied invasion of Sicily in July 1943, the invasion of mainland Italy at Salerno in September, and finally the landings at Anzio in late January 1944. His unit pushed inland from Anzio, and by May 1944 had reached the town of Carano. There they set up defensive positions and, for several weeks, Barfoot conducted patrols to scout the German lines. When his company was ordered to attack on the morning of May 23, Barfoot, now a technical sergeant, asked for permission to lead a squad. Because of the patrols he had conducted, he knew the layout of the terrain and the minefield which lay in front of the German position. He advanced alone through the minefield, following ditches and depressions, until he came within a few yards of a machine gun on the German flank. After destroying the gun with a hand grenade, he entered the German trench and advanced on a second machine gun, killing two soldiers and capturing three others. When he reached a third gun, the entire crew surrendered. After clearing the area, Barfoot had captured a total of seventeen German soldiers.

When the Germans launched an armored counterattack later in the day, Barfoot disabled one tank with a bazooka, advanced into enemy-held territory, and destroyed an abandoned German artillery piece. He then returned to his own lines and helped two wounded soldiers from his squad to the rear.

Barfoot was subsequently commissioned as a second lieutenant. His unit moved into France and by September was serving in the Rhone valley. It was there that Barfoot learned he would be awarded the Medal of Honor. He chose to have the presentation ceremony in the field, rather than in the United States, so that his soldiers could attend. He was formally presented with the medal on September 28, 1944, in Épinal, France, by Lieutenant General Alexander Patch.

Barfoot reached the rank of colonel before retiring from the Army.

Second Lieutenant Barfoot's official Medal of Honor citation reads:

    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 machinegun 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 machinegun emplacement, and with his tommygun killed 2 and captured 3 soldiers. Members of another enemy machinegun 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

Please remember the Canteen is here to honor, support and entertain our troops and their families.  This is a politics-free zone!  Thanks for helping us in our mission!

[left that other site]

Hi Everybody!

(((HUGS)))

[Kathy in Alaska]

~ Hall of Heroes: Van Thomas Barfoot ~

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[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, ML...((HUGS))...you and Tippy get a good walk today?

It’s -18 on my front porch has been snowing for a couple hours. And there is at least 2” on snow on my deck.

[left that other site]

Cold Wet Rain here.

Tippy is not thrilled. All day with the rain...but at least it isn’t snow.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Poor Tippy...

[Kathy in Alaska]

Hello Veterans, wherever you are!!

[PROCON]

Hi Kathy, thanks for tonight’s Canteen and for honoring this American Hero.

[left that other site]

She’s tough. She can handle it. :-)

[radu]

Greetings to all at the Canteen!

To all our military men and women, past and present,

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, Pro...all rested up to take on another retired week?

We warmed up to zero and it is snowing again...I just shoveled a good 3 inches of snow off my deck.

[radu]

Howdy, Kathy.

Dang, winter is relentless up there, isn’t it? So cold and now snowing so hard. :-( Glad you didn’t have to go anywhere this afternoon!

[MoochPooch]

Evening, Kathy!

[The Mayor]

January 29

Sharing by Caring

Bible in a Year :

• Exodus 21–22
• Matthew 19

Love your neighbor as yourself.

Galatians 5:14

The young pastor prayed every morning, asking God to use him that day to bless someone. Often, to his delight, such a situation arose. One day during a break at his second job, he sat in the sunshine with a coworker who asked him about Jesus. The pastor simply answered the other man’s questions. No rant. No arguing. The pastor commented that being guided by the Holy Spirit led him to have a casual talk that felt effective but loving. He made a new friend as well—someone hungry to learn more about God.

Letting the Holy Spirit lead us is the best way to tell others about Jesus. He told His disciples, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses” (Acts 1:8).

The fruit of the Spirit “is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Galatians 5:22–23). Living under the Spirit’s control, that young pastor put into practice what Peter instructed: “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15).

Even if we suffer for believing in Christ, our words can show the world that His Spirit leads us. Then our walk will draw others to Him. .

Reflect & Pray

What’s your communication style when telling others about Jesus? How would letting the Holy Spirit lead make your talks more effective?

As I tell others about Jesus, please lead me, Holy Spirit, to speak with Your love.

For further study, read Live Free: A Fresh Look at the Fruit of the Spirit.

[Tanniker Smith]

Good evening, all. Just sat down by the PC for a moment or two to check stuff, so I thought I’d stop in and say “Hi”.

“Hi!”

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, radu...are you still enjoying rain? Nice clean water?

We have snow again. I’m not thrilled. I’ve had enough.

[luvie]

Van T. Barfoot
June 15, 1919 - March 2, 2012
Retired United States Army officer
Medal of Honor Recipient
for actions in World War II.
I salute him, another of our brave heroes!

[radu]

Hey there, Kathy.

You sure DO have snow again and it’s coming down hard. BOOHISS!!!!!! Y’all just DID NOT need this.

It was a raw day here with nippy temps, wind, and light drizzle all day. After a week of deep snow on the ground and a week of rainy days, I’m ready for some sunshine and dry weather. LOL We did need all this “wet”, though, and are glad we got it.

Yes, I’m thoroughly enjoying having running water again! That was a loooooong week without it. I’m so glad I was able to find another well guy and he knows what he’s doing, unlike the first jerk I was stuck with. And the fix was easy once he figured out what the problem was.
Life is good.

[radu]

Howdy, PRO.

Have you had a good weekend? Have things settled down to normal winter weather? They have here for the time being.

[radu]

Howdy, luvie.

Hope you’ve had a good weekend.