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US Army Colonel Van Barfoot
Choctaw Warrior Van T. Barfoot joined the Army from Carthage, Mississippi, and by May 23, 1944 was serving as a technical
sergeant in the 157th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division. On that day, near Carano, Italy, he single-handedly destroyed
two German machine gun nests, took seventeen prisoners, and disabled an enemy tank. Barfoot was subsequently commissioned
as a second lieutenant and, on October 4, 1944, awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions.
United States Army Colonel Van T. Barfoot
Warriors Citation
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, Colonel 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 warriors 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 warriors 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 warriors. From: US Military Records
LINK TO BRAVEHORSE WARRIORS VOLUME TWO
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