FReeper Canteen ~ Hall of Heroes: Van Thomas Barfoot ~ August 13, 2012

Serving The Best Troops and Veterans In The World !! | StarCMC

[Kathy in Alaska]

Our Troops Rock!  Thank you for all you do!

For the freedom you enjoyed yesterday... Thank the Veterans who served in The United States Armed Forces.

Looking forward to tomorrow's freedom? Support The United States Armed Forces Today!

~ Hall of Heroes ~

Van Thomas Barfoot
Story from this website.

           

Van T. Barfoot (born June 15, 1919) 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!

[Old Sarge]

Morning, Sarmajor!

And Good Morning to all the lovely Canteen Galz!

Well, the latest news from The Bunker is, The Bride returned safely to us Friday evening, and it took pretty much the weekend to decompress and unpack her. But Saturday, we marked her return with a boisterous soiree at the VFW Post.

In other news, both Sarge and The Bride will BOTH be joining the re-enactor group here locally! It’s a return for Sarge after too long an absence, and The Bride’s first foray into the fun. Pics will be shown from the first attempt as they come available.

Sarge will be in the area all day, so Let’s Have Fun!

[tomkow6]

I was visiting with my son last night when I asked if I could borrow a newspaper.

"This is the 21st century", he said. "I don't waste money on newspapers. Here, you can borrow my iPad."

I can tell you this, that damn fly never knew what hit him.

[beachn4fun]

Good morning CMN ((HUGS))

Yeah, Monday again. Not ready for it either. It’s getting so that every Monday(Tues, Wed, etc.) morning I wake up and try to thing of an excuse not to go to work. But like you, glad to have one.

Trying to catch up on pings but with fotki and FR both being slow it’s taking a while.

How was your weekend?

[beachn4fun]

Good morning EG ((HUGS))

all is well. had a good walk, but now it’s getting busy.

how was your weekend?

[luvie]

ROFL!!!

[ConorMacNessa]

Not so good, sad to say. I worked Saturday - 1/2 day. Started going downhill physically while there. Was sick yesterday - spent most of the day horizontal. Feeling about the same today. Made an appointment with my PCP tomorrow afternoon - hope I can get some relief. :)　



Genuflectimus non ad principem sed ad Principem Pacis!

Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. (Isaiah 49:1 KJV)

[luvie]

The only good Monday is a Monday off!
Which is what I have! WoooHooo!
Hope all you Early Birds have a Mahv'lus day!
...join me for coffee/tea?
Sarge...look forward to your enactment pics! :)
We have clouds and slow rain, so the day is perfect!
((((hugs))))

[ConorMacNessa]

Good morning, Luv!

*HUGS*

How's it going with you this morning?　



Genuflectimus non ad principem sed ad Principem Pacis!

Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. (Isaiah 49:1 KJV)

[E.G.C.]

It's going well here in Oklahoma. Had the opportunity to visit the Duncan OK Chic-Fil-A inside Duncan Regional Hospital. The food was AWESOME!!!! Really enjoyed it. I ate takeout of course.

Been enjoying some somewhat cooler weather. At least it's not 110 or so like last week.

Some places over around Ardmore had storms last evening. There was some wind damage around Calera. (South of Durant) Some power as knocked out from thee storms.

More in the forecast throughout the week. At least we're getting some rain though. Badly need it.

Oklahoma is still under a statewide burn ban until further notice.

[luvie]

Good morning! (((hugs)))

We’ll miss ya, but have a lovely quiet time at the farm! Hope
it’s not totally a “working” vacation! :)

[luvie]

Howdy, EGC! (((hugs)))

Glad you’ve gotten cooler temps and some rain. I hope there
haven’t been any more new fires up there. Those were bad!

[luvie]

Howdy, Conor! (((hugs)))

Having a lovely day off....and having a good slooooow rain (God’s lullaby). It’s nice! How are you doing?

[MEG33]

We had a 5 minute rain shower!
Enjoy your day off.

[luvie]

Yay for rain! Ours has been coming down for several hours very slowly, and I love it. It will soak in nicely, I hope! :)

Have a lovely day, Megs! (((hugs)))

[beachn4fun]

waaaa...I want to go!

What a nice picture first thing on Monday. Thanks Meg ((HUGS))

[beachn4fun]

Good morning Luvy ((HUGS))

You are getting a nice, slow rain? WOO HOO!

[luvie]

Yes! And it’s only 75 degrees and cloudy. MY perfect weather! :)

Hope your day is going well! ((((hugs))))

[ConorMacNessa]

Not feeling well today - made it in to the office and will stay through the afternoon - made an appointment with my PCP tomorrow afternoon.　



Genuflectimus non ad principem sed ad Principem Pacis!

Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. (Isaiah 49:1 KJV)

[Kathy in Alaska]

Happy first day of the week, beachy...((HUGS))

Have a good rest of the day.

[luvie]

Prayers that you feel better soon, Conor!