Colonel Van Barfoot Stands His Ground To Raise The American Flag

FirefightnRick · December 7, 2009

The 90-year-old veteran is shocked and gratified by the outpouring of support from around the country.

Col. Van Barfoot has until Friday at 5 pm to remove his flagpole or face a civil suit.

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Col. Van Barfoot’s Medal of Honor Citation

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.

God Bless Col. Barfoot for his service, truly one of the best of the Greatest Generations. What a shame he's treated in this way in his own country he fought so hard to for. He stood his ground and defeated the Nazi's against such great odds, now has to take on his Home Owners' Association. They all ought to have their @sses kicked.

Rick

Edited December 7, 2009 by FirefightnRick

greenminer · December 7, 2009

I have heard that the HOA can be very unreasonable and difficult.

eulesseagle · December 7, 2009

HOA's do have rules but at the same time the flag flying issues that have been taken to the courts have ruled in favor of the "flag flying vets." This HERO fought and saw his buddies die (and probably has nightmares to this day from the horror) to have the right to fly the flag.

KRAM1 · December 7, 2009

God Bless Col Barfoot and all who stand and fight for this great nation of ours. It is only fitting that we remember all our vets on this Dec. 7th...Pearl Harbor day! May his flag always fly above his home. Amazing how things have "changed" in the US these days. When a war hero cannot fly the American flag at his own home we should all be saddened. Regardless of the current HOA regs in this "neighborhood", perhaps some thought should be given to changing part of the regs NOW!

If ever an exception needed to be made.......

KRAM1 · December 10, 2009

ANNOUNCED on the radio this morning...The Colonel WINS his fight! The HOA has given up in the quest to have Col. Barfoot remove his flag pole and flag. He didn't use a bazooka this time, but his victory is just as sweet to him I would think. You go Colonel. Congratulations.

KingDL1 · December 10, 2009

ANNOUNCED on the radio this morning...The Colonel WINS his fight! The HOA has given up in the quest to have Col. Barfoot remove his flag pole and flag. He didn't use a bazooka this time, but his victory is just as sweet to him I would think. You go Colonel. Congratulations.

Glad to hear this one, it was pretty ridiculous of the HOA to start with.

UNTFan23 · December 10, 2009

Glad to hear this one, it was pretty ridiculous of the HOA to start with.

Tough to come up with a rule that goes against the freedom of speech since flying your country's flag is the expression of said right.

Edited December 10, 2009 by UNTFan23

FirefightnRick · December 10, 2009

Way to go to Mark Levin and Landmark Legal in helping Col. Barfoot take this group down.

Rick

Edited December 10, 2009 by FirefightnRick

FirefightnRick · December 12, 2009

WaPo Raises Victory Flag For Warner, Kaine -- Ignores Mark Levin

Now there is no doubt that Virginia’s part-time Governor chimed in, or that White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs (when asked) also offered an opinion favorable to Col. Barfoot’s cause. Nor is there doubt as to the role of Senator Warner, whose office apparently mediated the dispute. The issue with the reporting of this story is this: None of these players would have become involved, had Mark Levin not picked up this story from the blogosphere.
That’s right, I said it! Levin should have been mentioned by name in this story, instead of as a generic talking-head. He broke this story in the national media, beating the Washington Post by a full day. He made this an issue for Governor Kaine and Senator Warner, by relating the story to his nationally syndicated radio show audience. He was, to the best of my ability to find out, the first media figure on the national stage to talk about this story.

Rick