In the myriad acts of heroism witnessed during the Second World War, the bravery exhibited by Van Barfoot on the battlefield stands as an indelible mark in history. Up against several German soldiers and formidable Tiger tanks, this US Army technical sergeant courageously stood firm. This is the extraordinary story of one of the greatest American heroes of World War II.
Van Barfoot’s early life and upbringing
Born on June 15, 1919, in Edinburg, Mississippi, Van Barfoot was of Choctaw ancestry through his grandmother, yet his parents never formally enrolled him in the Choctaw Nation. He grew up on a cotton plantation shaped his early years and, in 1940, made the decision to enlist in the US Army.
Following basic training, Barfoot became a member of the 1st Infantry Division, serving in both Louisiana and Puerto Rico. He was later reassigned to the Headquarters Amphibious Force Atlantic Fleet in Quantico, Virginia. In 1943, when the unit was officially disbanded, Barfoot embarked on his WWII-era journey, joining the 157th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division.
Becoming a hero in Italy
With his division, Van Barfoot primarily fought near Sicily between 1943-44. He participated in a number of high-profile offensives during the Italian Campaign, including the Allied invasions of Sicily and Italy, as well as the Battle of Anzio.
Over time, he became familiar with the terrain. On May 23, 1944, as his unit reached the town of Carano in southern Italy, the soldier, then a technical sergeant, passed through a German minefield alone. When he came upon the enemy forces, he destroyed two machine gun positions (one with a hand grenade) and took another under surrender from the troops manning it. Throughout the engagement, he captured 17 German soldiers and killed an additional eight.
However, Barfoot’s work was far from over. Later in the day, the Germans responded by sending in three Tiger I tanks. He was able to hit the first with a bazooka and took out its crew with a Thompson submachine gun as they dismounted. The other two changed direction. Once the tanks fled, Barfoot took out an abandoned artillery piece and rescued two injured American soldiers.
For these actions, he was awarded the Medal of Honor on September 28, 1944. His citation reads, “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.”
Service in Korea and Vietnam
Following WWII, Van Barfoot served with the US Army in Korea and Vietnam, during which he was a helicopter pilot. He’d completed flight training in 1960, which allowed him to take on such a role. From 1967-68, he flew a total of 177 combat hours.
Along with receiving the Medal of Honor for his actions in the Second World War, Barfoot was also awarded three Purple Hearts, the Silver Star, the Bronze Star, two Legions of Merit and 11 Air Medals. Upon his retirement from the Army, he’d reached the rank of colonel.
Van Barfoot and the issues with his flagpole
At the age of 90, Van Barfoot resided in Henrico County, Virginia. As Veterans Day drew near, the retired soldier decided to erect a 21-foot flagpole on his property. Regrettably, the local Home Owners Association (HOA) raised objections, citing “aesthetic reasons,” despite the absence of any bylaws prohibiting flagpoles.
Barfoot’s encounter with the HOA’s stance quickly gained national attention. Fox News ran a story highlighting the absurdity of the situation, and the Army veteran received support from Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA), Sen. Jim Webb (D-VA) and White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs. Remarkably, within a mere week, the HOA withdrew its complaint.
Van Barfoot’s death and legacy
Van Barfoot died on March 2, 2012. According to his daughter, the 92-year-old had fallen in front of his home and suffered a skull fracture, which caused a brain bleed.
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The portion of Mississippi Highway 16 that runs through Barfoot’s hometown is called the “Van T. Barfoot Medal of Honor Highway,” and a building at McGuire Veterans Hospital in Richmond, Virginia is named in his honor. In May 2022, it was announced Fort Pickett, Virginia will be renamed Fort Barfoot. This is part of the recent push to rename buildings once named for members of the Confederate Army.