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Soldiers

Medal of Honor: Van T. Barfoot – A Graphical Retelling of Valor

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

A new graphical novel from the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) commemorates the heroic actions of Retired Col. Van Barfoot, a Medal of Honor recipient for his bravery in World War II. The novel recounts his daring solo mission on May 23, 1944, in northern Italy, where he single-handedly took out three machine gun nests and captured multiple German soldiers, thwarting a counterattack and saving wounded American troops. Barfoot's impressive service spans over three decades, including the Korean conflict and Vietnam, where he accumulated nearly 200 combat hours.

Key Takeaways:

  • Retired Col. Van Barfoot, a former enlisted soldier, earned the Medal of Honor for his actions in Italy during World War II, where he took out three machine gun nests and captured multiple German soldiers.
  • Barfoot's heroics were recognized in a previous graphic novel, Medal of Honor: Van T. Barfoot, which tells his story in a graphic novel format.
  • The script was written by Chuck Dixon, with artwork and cover by Jim Lavery, colors by Peter Pantazis, and lettering by Troy Peteri.
  • Barfoot served in the Korean conflict and Vietnam as an aviation officer, logging nearly 200 combat hours.
  • He earned three Purple Hearts during his service and was a senior national adviser to the Army National Guard.
  • Barfoot passed away on March 2, 2012, at the age of 92.
  • The AUSA Book Program offers quality books about Army heritage and security in the modern world, including the Medal of Honor graphic novel series.
  • AUSA launched its Medal of Honor graphic novel series in October 2018, with Medal of Honor: Van T. Barfoot being the 27th novel in the series.

Statistics:

  • Barfoot received the Medic of Honor on September 22, 1944, from Lt. Gen. Alexander Patch III in Epinal, France.
  • Barfoot was commissioned as a second lieutenant on June 21, 1944, while still in Italy.
  • He was born on June 15, 1919, in Edinburg, Mississippi, and was one of nine children with Native American lineage.
  • Barfoot enlisted in the Army in March 1940 and served in the 45th Infantry Division.
  • During the Korean conflict, Barfoot accumulated combat experience, including nearly 200 combat hours as an aviation officer.

Sources:

  • The Association of the United States Army (AUSA)
  • The National Museum of the United States Army
  • Medal of Honor: Van T. Barfoot (digital graphic novel)
  • AUSA Books Program
  • The AUSA Book Program offers quality books about Army heritage, military theory and policy, and security in the modern world.

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