Monday 14 December 2009

Sanity Prevails


I have an apology to make I may have given the impression in previous blogs that the lunatics were taking over the world but I find that there is still some sanity left, but only just!

Col. (Ret) Van T. Barfoot a WWII Medal of Honour recipient (America’s highest award for gallantry) has been allowed to continue to fly the flag he so courageously fought for despite the attempts of his local homeowners association (on the grounds of aesthetic guidelines) to prevent him from doing so.

So one's National flag, symbolic of a nation is reduced to complying with aesthetic guidelines now! Is this a sign of how far the left egalitarian socialist cancer has spread?

Col Barfoot's citation for bravery reads thus;

Barfoot, Van T.
Rank and organization: Second Lieutenant,
U.S. Army, 157th Infantry, 45th Infantry Division.
Place and date: Near Carano, Italy, 23 May 1944.
Entered service at: Carthage, Miss.
Birth: Edinburg, Miss.


G.O. No.: 79, 4 October 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.


He earned the right to fly the flag he fought for.

I salute you sir.

I am left wondering though how a British or Commonwealth recipient of say the Victoria Cross, our own highest award inscribed with the simple words For Valour would have been treated in the same circumstances when it is so fashionable to attack and consider “right wing” “BNP supporting fascist” “offensive to Muslims” or any other minority in this country to display pride in one’s patriotism, I do wonder, I truly do if “sanity” would prevail with the same degree of courage Col Barfoot so gallantly displayed.

1 comment:

  1. Sanity prevails every time a fallen serviceman is brought home via Wooton Bassett.

    ReplyDelete