A Soldier's Story: Colonel Van Thomas Barfoot



Colonel Van Thomas Barfoot was born on June 15, 1914, one of nine children, on a farm in Edinburg, Mississippi.

He 1940, he enlisted in the US Army, serving first in the Italian Campaign, Amphibious Force. After World War II, Colonel Van Barfoot trained as a helicopter pilot and then as the military adviser to the Virginia National Guard.

Colonel Van Barfoot was a highly decorated soldier, earning the Congressional Medal of Honor, a Silver Star, a Bronze Star, and three Purple Hearts.  He was decorated to pick his way through a minefield, capture 17 enemy soldiers, and destroy a tank.

Despite having a very admiral military career, Colonel Van Barfoot is most well known for his legal battle with his HOA, who tried to restrict him from flying an American Flag.  He says, "In the time I have left, I plan to continue to fly the American flag."  He won.

On March 2, 2012, Colonel Van Barfoot died and rests at H.C. Smither Memorial Cemetery in Hudgins, Virginia.


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a.d. elliott is a wanderer, writer, and photographer currently living in Salem, Virginia. 

In addition to the travel writings at www.takethebackroads.com, you can also read her book reviews at www.riteoffancy.com and US military biographies at www.everydaypatriot.com

Her online photography gallery can be found at shop.takethebackroads.com

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Location: Edinburg, MS 39051, USA

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