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!

[SandRat]

Meadow Wind (grass green) and Serengeti Sand (light light light brown).

No muggings, but I feel one comming on.

[luvie]

Howdy, Kathy! (((hugs)))

Work was...well...work! I was glad to have it done. No nap ‘cause I was at work, but I”m off tomorrow and will get some rest by maybe sleeping in.

No rain. :( It passed us by. As usual. *sigh*

[Kathy in Alaska]

Happy sleeping in....

[Kathy in Alaska]

Spectacular!! Welcome home, VMM-263 REIN Marines!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLkSqsX4zoM&feature=related

Thanks, ExTexasRedhead.

[fatima]

Beautiful.

[Kathy in Alaska]

A Hawaiian plover???? It has been hot, rainy, hot, rainy, hot and rainy here. Maybe lovesick plover never came home?

[E.G.C.]

A very pleasant good morning to everyone at the Canteen and to all our military at home and abroad. Thanks for your service to our country.

((HUGS))Good morning, everyone. Thanks for this morning's thread, Star. How's it going?

[E.G.C.]

BTTT

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good morning, E...((HUGS))...you and Bo have a good Monday.

[Kathy in Alaska]

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good morning/afternoon/evening/night Troops, wherever you are.

Thank you for doing your part to help keep all of us free and safe.

Thanks, unique, for the pastries.

Coffee is always on........

How about a donut?

Cookies?

Veggies?

Sandwich?

[Kathy in Alaska]

God bless and keep safe our troops worldwide.

Good night.

Statler Brothers ~ How Great Thou Art

[E.G.C.]

Monday Morning Coffee Bump.

[tomkow6]

 

 

 

 

 Good morning,

EVERYBODY!

GOOD

MORNING

TROOPS!

 

Cubs

44 WINS

69  LOSSES

 

 

Haunted French pancakes give me the crepes.  
 

 

[beachn4fun]

Good morning, Canteen.

Good morning to our

Military, our Allies, and their families.

Thank you, Star, for preparing the Canteen for today’s activities.
KUDOS and thank you go out to Van T. Barfoot for his service and sacrifice.

DC Metroland weather report

~ Today...Mostly sunny.
Highs in the upper 80s. North winds around 5 mph...
Becoming south in the afternoon.

~ Tonight...Mostly cloudy.
Lows in the lower 70s. South winds 5 to 10 mph.

We had some rain but not enough.
I did manage to get to the pool on Saturday
took two granddaughters (6 & 7)
who were "bored".
But at least I got a few hours sun and rest...LOL.

Sorry gang but I'll have to post and run.
Got to get in my morning walk before everyone arrives
and another busy day ahead.
We're coming up on the end of fiscal year
which becomes very busy.
Plus, I need to check up on pings from the weekend.

But please stay right where you are.
Chat up the military or a family member.
No need to fret...you know I'll be back!

The FR Canteen is

Come in and sit for a while.
There's always plenty of coffee, tea,
pancakes, conversation, silliness,
and plain old BS

REMEMBER THEM ~ DEFENDERS OF FREEDOM

AGOSTO-SANTOS, JOSE
5/12/1967
South Vietnam
Returnee

FR CANTEEN MISSION STATEMENT

Showing support and boosting the morale of our military and our allied military and the family members of the above. Honoring those who have served before.

[ConorMacNessa]

Good morning, Beachy!

*HUGS*

Another Monday - about the only thing positive I can say about it is that I have a job to go to. How are things 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)

[left that other site]

There was a slight break in the Monsoon in the morning, and I rode around in the sunshine. I hit a few yard sales, but mostly just rode! :-)

[MEG33]

I'd rather be at the beach.

Good Morning To The Canteen
Hope you have a good week
*HUGS*

[Arrowhead1952]

Good morning to everyone at the Canteen. I'll be heading for the farm in a few, so won't be on FR much.

[Arrowhead1952]

Good morning ladies and (((HUGS))). Another hot day for us again.