After surviving the beach assaults in Sicily, Salerno and Anzio, on May 23, 1944, T/Sgt. Van T. Barfoot was ordered to lead an assault on German positions near Carano, Italy. He went out alone and crawled to within feet of a German bunker.
He tossed a grenade inside, killing two Germans and wounding three others. He then moved to another bunker nearby and killed two more German soldiers with his Thompson while taking three others prisoner. As he made his way towards a third MG position, the enemy crew decided to just surrender. In all, 17 Germans gave themselves up to him.
In retaliation, the Germans organized a counterattack on his position, sending three tanks toward him.
Barfoot grabbed a bazooka and stood 75 yards in front of the leading tank. His first shot destroyed its tracks. He then killed three of the German tank crew members who had attempted to escape.
The other two tanks, witnessing the destruction, abruptly changed directions, and left the field of battle. Returning to his platoon, he helped carry two wounded U.S. soldiers almost a mile to safety.
For his actions, he received the Medal of Honor and a battlefield commission to 2nd Lt.
He then went on to serve in the Korean War and later in Vietnam as a helicopter pilot. His other military decorations included the Silver Star; 2 awards of the Legion of Merit; the Bronze Star; 3 Purple Hearts, and 11 Air Medals. #zerofucks #nofucks #stayzero #ww2 #greatestgeneration #hero #badass