Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

2nd Lieutenant

Unit:

Company L, 157th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division "Thunderbird", U.S. Army

Awarded on:

October 4th, 1944

"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."

War Department, General Orders No. 79, October 4, 1944

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

2nd Lieutenant

Unit:

Company L, 157th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division "Thunderbird", U.S. Army

Awarded on:

1944

"For gallantry in action while serving with Company L, 157th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division, in action on the night of 9 to 10 December 943, in Italy. While guiding a night reconnaissance party of two officers, he came unexpectedly upon three enemy machine guns. He attacked one of the machine guns, killing the two-man crew with fire from his sub-machine gun and silenced one of the other machineguns with hand grenades, enabling the reconnaissance party to withdraw safely. On the following night he led a raiding party against a reinforced Germany company. He destroyed one machine gun, killed three of the enemy, captured two prisoners, and led his party back to friendly lines through the crossfire of several machineguns. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army."

Headquarters, 45th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 75

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Korean War (1950-1953)

Period:

Korean War (1950-1953)

Period:

Vietnam War (1955-1975)