SHANGRALA'S

PROUD OF OUR TROOPS 5!

Remember the Guy that Wouldn't take the Flag down in his yard? Here's His Story...

      On June 15, 1919, Van T. Barfoot was born in Edinburg
-- probably didn't make much news back then.

Twenty-five years later, on May 23, 1944, near Carano, Italy, Van T. Barfoot, who had enlisted in the Army in 1940, set out to flank German machine gun positions from which fire was coming down on his fellow soldiers.       He advanced through a minefield, took out three enemy machine gun positions and returned with 17 prisoners of war.

He later took on and destroyed three German tanks sent to retake the machine gun positions.       That probably didn't make much news either, given the scope of the war, but it did earn Van T. Barfoot, who retired as a colonel after also serving in Korea and Vietnam, a Congressional Medal of Honor.       What did make news, however, was a neighborhood association's quibble with how this 90-year-old veteran chose to fly the American flag outside his suburban Virginia home. Seems the rules said a flag could be flown on a house-mounted bracket, but, for decorum, items such as Barfoot's 21-foot flagpole were unsuitable.       He had been denied a permit for the pole, erected it anyway and was facing court action if he didn't take it down. Since the story made national TV, the neighborhood association has rethought its position and agreed to indulge this old hero who dwells among them.

"In the time I have left I plan to continue to fly the American flag without interfer- ence," Barfoot told The Associated Press. As well he should.       And if any of his neighbors still takes a notion to contest him, they might want to read his Medal of Honor citation.       It indicates he's not real good at backing down.

Van T. Barfoot's Medal of Honor citation:       This 1944 Medal of Honor citation, listed with the National Medal of Honor Society, is for Second Lieutenant Van T. Barfoot, 157th Infantry, 45th Infantry:       "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 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 point blank fire are a perpetual inspiration to his fellow soldiers."

God Bless Him & God Bless America.



ARE YOU PROUD ENOUGH



TO SEND THIS ON AND
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS?

        

SEE ALSO: Proud Of Our Troops 6!








^BACK To TOP^



For those of you who Want More FUN - Visit The Shangy Fun List! Variety is the
spice of life! The Shangy Fun List is an ezine packed full of Poems, Inspirational and
Heart Warming Stories. Jokes from G to slightly R, and Anything else that just
might make you SMILE! Join In The Free FUN!! ... :)

Yes! Click Here To GO TO THE ARCHIVES!-




Like This Page?

If you are looking for more, here are some good places to start:


Why My Son?-
Bleed America!-
War Pics: Sleep!-
Lest We Forget 2!-
WWI Human Art!-
War Pics: Daily 3!-
Rolling Memorial!-
Freedom Isn't Free!
War Pics: Humor 3!-
Military WWII Posters!-
Proud Of Our Troops 4!-
Military Motivational Posters!-
USS New York LPD-21 Tribute!-
FULL 9/11 And Troops INDEX!-
A-Z Animated Picture Images!-





-To SHANGRALA-


SPECIAL THANKS To PAT DE ESPOSITO For Sharing This With Us.

---

Copyright © 1996 Netscape Communications Corporation. Mozilla is
a trademark of Netscape Communications Corporation.
Note: This is an Unofficial God, Jesus Christ, Family, & Cartoon Fan Site.
© All graphics representing Disney characters are copyrighted by Disney.
Likewise all other graphics & music Copyright © by their own Individual Artists.
I do not own any graphics on this site. If you do, please notify me and I'll give
you proper credit, a link, or remove it immediately according to your wishes.
~*~ Copyright © 1997-2010 Elrhea M. Bigham ~*~

---