During World War II, Van Barfoot demonstrated remarkable courage and heroism on the battlefield, earning deep respect from his fellow soldiers. When faced with a powerful German force and intimidating Tiger tanks, the U.S. Army technical sergeant held his position and refused to back down. Today, he is honored as one of America’s most highly decorated war heroes.
Van Barfoot’s early life and upbringing
Van Barfoot was born on June 15, 1919, in Edinburg, Mississippi. His grandmother was Choctaw, but his parents chose not to register him with the Choctaw Nation. He grew up working on a cotton plantation, an experience that shaped his early life and eventually led him to enlist in the U.S. Army in 1940.
After finishing basic training, Barfoot joined the 1st Infantry Division and served in Louisiana and Puerto Rico. He was later transferred to the Headquarters Amphibious Force Atlantic Fleet in Quantico, Virginia. When that unit was disbanded in 1943, he continued his WWII service with the 157th Infantry Regiment of the 45th Infantry Division.
Becoming a hero in Italy
Leading his division, Van Barfoot played a key role in several engagements near Sicily from 1943-44. Participating in significant offensives during the Italian Campaign – the Allied invasions of Sicily and Italy and the Battle of Anzio – he became familiar with the challenging terrain.
On May 23, 1944, then-tech. Sgt. Barfoot demonstrated immense bravery when his unit reached the town of Carano, in southern Italy. Acting alone, he navigated a German minefield, encountering enemy forces. Single-handedly, he neutralized two machine gun positions, throwing a hand grenade at one and compelling the surrender of the other. In the ensuing skirmish, he captured 17 German soldiers and took out another eight.
Barfoot faced another challenge when three Tiger I tanks were dispatched by the Germans later that day. Using a bazooka, he disabled the first and swiftly dispatched its crew using a Thompson submachine gun. Witnessing what had happened to their comrades, the other two tanks altered their course.
Following their withdrawal, Barfoot dismantled an abandoned artillery piece and rescued two injured American soldiers.
For his extraordinary actions, Barfoot was awarded the Medal of Honor. 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
After World War II, Van Barfoot remained in the US Army, serving in both Korea and Vietnam as a helicopter pilot. He completed flight training in 1960, becoming fully qualified for this role. From 1967 to 1968, he logged 177 combat hours.
Along with the Medal of Honor, Barfoot was honored with three Purple Hearts, the Silver Star, the Bronze Star, two Legions of Merit, and 11 Air Medals. By the time he retired from the Army, he had reached the rank of colonel.
Van Barfoot and the issues with his flagpole
At 90 years old, Van Barfoot lived in Henrico County, Virginia. As Veterans Day neared, the retired Army veteran decided to put up a 21-foot flagpole on his property. While there were no rules against flagpoles, the local Homeowners Association (HOA) objected, citing “aesthetic concerns.”
The disagreement quickly gained national attention. Fox News ran a segment highlighting how unreasonable the situation seemed. Senators Mark Warner (D-VA) and Jim Webb (D-VA) voiced their support for Barfoot, and White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs also backed him.
Surprisingly, within a week, the HOA dropped its complaint.
Van Barfoot’s death and legacy
Van Barfoot passed away on March 2, 2012. According to his daughter, the 92-year-old had fallen in front of his home, resulting in a skull fracture that led to a brain bleed.
The segment of Mississippi Highway 16 passing through Barfoot’s hometown has been designated the “Van T. Barfoot Medal of Honor Highway,” while a building at McGuire Veterans Hospital in Richmond, Virginia, bears his name in tribute. In May 2022, it was disclosed that Fort Pickett, Virginia, would be rechristened as Fort Barfoot, aligning with the ongoing initiative to rename structures previously dedicated to members of the Confederate Army.
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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, with the change having since come into effect.