Hasn't Colonel Barfoot fought enough Nazis in his lifetime?

[Perky]

Retired Army Col. Van T. Barfoot, a World War II veteran, is fighting to keep the 21-foot pole at his suburban Richmond home. His homeowners association said the pole violates the neighborhood's aesthetic guidelines. It pushed back a deadline to remove it to Friday.

Gibbs said during a briefing that he hasn't spoken directly to President Barack Obama about the flap. But he said ''the president believes -- I think all of us believe -- that the very least we can do is show our gratitude and thanks to somebody that served our country so admirably.''

He went on to say that ''it's silly to ... think that somebody that's done that can't have a flagpole and ... show the proper respect and appreciation that any flag deserves by flying that in their neighborhood.''

Barfoot won the Medal of Honor for actions while his platoon was under German assault near Carano, Italy, in May 1944.

He also won the Purple Heart and other decorations, and served in Korea and Vietnam before retiring from the service in 1974.

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2009/12/08/us/politics/AP-US-Flag-Flap.html?_r=1

[rasputin1952]

1. Any citizen that wants a 21 foot flagpole should have it...

:patriot:

The only problem i have w/the story, (other than the cretins who want to remove the flagpole), is that no one "wins" the MOH, and certainly, no one "wins" the Purple Heart. They are awarded for specific actions and results for such actions...all medals and decorations are "earned", not "won", (of course, it is arguable if some actually "earned" an award, but the military determines such things, and they are pretty good at it).

The Medal of Honor Citation for Barfoot, then a Sgt:

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. 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.

http://www.history.army.mil/html/moh/wwII-a-f.html

[rockymountaindem]

3. I think the neighborhood association should bend the rules for this man

I'd say he earned it after he blew off the tread of a Tiger tank.

[Perky]

4. Thanks for postint this. He deserves better.

[Clio the Leo]

2. My uncle uses this same excuse to get the last piece of pie at Thanksgiving...

..... three of the many medals he received in Vietnam were Purple Hearts. (And he then served in the Army for another 25 years.)

I always let him have the last piece. ;)