(1919¿ )Native American Cherokee World War II Medal of Honor Recipient. A Second Lieutenant, Barfoot was with the 45th Infantry Division and was awarded the MOH for his actions near Carano, Italy, May 23, 1944. With his platoon engaged during an assault on a heavily entrenched German position on high ground, Barfoot moved off alone on the left of the enemy flank. He destroyed the first machine gun nest with a grenade, killing two and wounding three. Barfoot then moved on to a second machine gun position killing two and causing the soldiers in a third position to surrender. During this action he eventually ended up capturing 17 Germans. Later in the day the enemy counter attacked with tanks, concentrating on the position held by Barfoot¿s platoon. Standing in an open position facing three tanks, he destroyed one and killed the tank crew as they exited. He then went on to destroy a German fieldpiece and despite his exhaustion from the day¿s battle, assisted two wounded comrades 1,700 feet across the battlefield to safety of American lines. Sig. "Van L. Barfoot ¿ M.H."

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