I would like to start by reminding everyone that I don’t give White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs much credit for intelligence. Normally, I think that calling him the intellectual equal of a muppet without a hand inside is an insult to sock puppets. However, when he and, by silent consent, his boss; The (anointed one) President Barrack (all my friends have ethics or tax issues) Obama, do something right I have to give them credit.
Here are the links:
Please feel free to read them at your leisure.
On October 4th 1944 then Second Lieutenant Van T. Barfoot received the Congressional Medal of Honor with the following 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, 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.
Consider the following: Having written military awards, and speaking to some more seasoned Veterans, (Even at 90+ some of these guys still can and will kick your ass.) getting an award approved while comparing the subject to a Greek Hero is near impossible. Most CMH are awarded posthumously. The supporting documents have to be airtight. This is a man who has proven himself beyond a doubt a hero.
Two more wars (Korea and Viet-Nam) and 65 plus years later the retired COL Barfoot faced off against a homeowners association (HOA) that wanted him to take down the flag pole in his front yard that he still used daily to fly the American flag. The argument that was given by the HOA was about the aesthetics of the flag pole. Apparently, Patriotism is ugly.
The internet blew up over the story and Veterans’ Rights Groups jumped to support this American Hero. When I heard about this, my head almost exploded. After I looked up his citation I started pricing plane tickets to pay a visit to these disrespectful a**holes in person. Before I had time to move my money around, I found out that the Colonel had some powerful support. Two Democrat Senators, Warner and Webb, stated their support for COL(R) Barfoot. Sen. Jim Web is the former Secretary of the Navy. Eventually, Even the White House Press Office made a statement calling this “silly”. It is nice to see politicians (regardless of party) do something right. In light of all the support behind him and the bad press against them, the HOA backed down.
In an era so disrespectful to Soldiers, that Hollywood can’t make a war movie (even a fantasy ones [GI Joe, Stop Loss]) without depicting all Soldiers as having PTSD. In a time so politically leftist that The President can give a speech about escalating a war, while looking indifferent (and slightly disgusted at the site of the WestPoint Cadets [he might have just had bad fish]) and without once mentioning Victory (and tell our enemies when we will leave [treason?]). At a time so decedent that freaks and killers are mourned by our nation more that it’s Soldiers (Michael Jackson, Ted Kennedy); it’s nice to know that the good guys can still win one.
I am sure that a lot of people are saying this, but I want to add my voice to the mob: Thank you For Your Service COL(R) Barfoot.
C.N. Costa
If you want to keep supporting Soldiers, I recommend the following Sites:
