Quote :

""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://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Van_T._Barfoot

12/14/2009 3:56:57 PM

message_topic.aspx?topic=582808&page=2

12/14/2009 3:57:43 PM

Old, and a topic of previous discussion.

He is badass though.

12/14/2009 3:57:54 PM

We saw this in the thing about a HOA hassling him about having a flag pole. Still, it is an extremely bad ass story.

12/14/2009 3:58:56 PM

I know, thats where I found it. I just thought it needed its own thread. More people I would think would click on this thread that would be interested in the story than come across it in the HOA thread.


It would suck though knowing every single day for the rest of your life could never come close to the awesomeness of that day.

[Edited on December 14, 2009 at 4:01 PM. Reason : .]

12/14/2009 4:00:46 PM

Dude, I've done that in Call of Duty at least like 6 times.

12/14/2009 4:19:35 PM

Great Wall of Text

12/14/2009 4:20:45 PM

sounds like an average tuesday to me

12/14/2009 4:21:05 PM

If it wasn't for this thread I would have never have read that story. Thanks!

12/14/2009 4:30:19 PM

this story is well worth the read, but you're going to need to bold the highlights for the tl;dr crowd

12/14/2009 6:20:51 PM

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_Inouye

Quote :

"On April 21, 1945, Inouye was grievously wounded while leading an assault on a heavily-defended ridge near Terenzo called Colle Musatello. The ridge served as a strongpoint along the strip of German fortifications known as the Gothic Line, which represented the last and most dogged line of German defensive works in Italy. As he led his platoon in a flanking maneuver, three German machine guns opened fire from covered positions just 40 yards away, pinning his men to the ground. Inouye stood up to attack and was shot in the stomach; ignoring his wound, he proceeded to attack and destroy the first machine gun nest with hand grenades and fire from his M1 Thompson submachine gun. After being informed of the severity of his wound by his platoon sergeant, he refused treatment and rallied his men for an attack on the second machine gun position, which he also successfully destroyed before collapsing from blood loss. As his squad distracted the third machine gunner, Inouye crawled toward the final bunker, eventually drawing within 10 yards. As he raised himself up and cocked his arm to throw his last grenade into the fighting position, a German inside fired a rifle grenade that struck him on the right elbow, severing most of his arm and leaving the primed grenade reflexively "clenched in a fist that suddenly didn't belong to me anymore". Inouye's horrified soldiers moved to his aid, but he shouted for them to keep back out of fear his severed fist would involuntarily relax and drop the grenade. As the German inside the bunker reloaded his rifle, Inouye managed to successfully pry the live grenade from his useless right hand and transfer it to his left. As the German aimed his rifle to finish him off, Inouye managed at last to toss the grenade off-hand into the bunker and destroy it. He stumbled to his feet and continued forward, silencing the last German resistance with a one-handed burst from his Thompson before being wounded in the leg and tumbling unconscious to the bottom of the ridge. When he awoke to see the concerned men of his platoon hovering over him, his only comment before being carried away was to gruffly order them return to their positions, since, as he pointed out, "nobody had called off the war"."

12/14/2009 6:28:31 PM

i knew i recognized that fucking name - damned senator Inouye now!

12/14/2009 6:29:43 PM

that's fucking awesome.

12/14/2009 7:44:47 PM

damn that sounds like a video game

12/14/2009 7:47:19 PM

They should make a video game out of these two. "Sgt Barfoot vs Senator Inouye: The Blood bath"


Fuck Modern Warfare 2. This would be THE GAME to have.

[Edited on December 15, 2009 at 1:05 AM. Reason : ;]

12/15/2009 1:04:46 AM

Quote :

"For extraordinary heroism as Combined Anti-Armor Platoon Commander, Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM on 25 March 2003. While leading his platoon north on Highway I toward Ad Diwaniyah, First Lieutenant Chontosh's platoon moved into a coordinated ambush of mortars, rocket propelled grenades, and automatic weapons fire. With coalition tanks blocking the road ahead, he realized his platoon was caught in a kill zone. He had his driver move the vehicle through a breach along his flank, where he was immediately taken under fire from an entrenched machine gun. Without hesitation, First Lieutenant Chontosh ordered the driver to advance directly at the enemy position enabling his .50 caliber machine gunner to silence the enemy. He then directed his driver into the enemy trench, where he exited his vehicle and began to clear the trench with an M16A2 service rifle and 9 millimeter pistol. His ammunition depleted, First Lieutenant Chontosh, with complete disregard for his safety, twice picked up discarded enemy rifles and continued his ferocious attack. When a Marine following him found an enemy rocket propelled grenade launcher, First Lieutenant Chontosh used it to destroy yet another group of enemy soldiers. When his audacious attack ended, he had cleared over 200 meters of the enemy trench, killing more than 20 enemy soldiers and wounding several others. By his outstanding display of decisive leadership, unlimited courage in the face of heavy enemy fire, and utmost devotion to duty, First Lieutenant Chontosh reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service."

And this dude only got the Navy Cross.

12/15/2009 1:16:16 AM

I think every Medal of Honor since Vietnam has been posthumous.

Just read the book on Operation Redwing:

Quote :

"The President of the United States in the name of The Congress takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR posthumously to LIEUTENANT MICHAEL P. MURPHY UNITED STATES NAVY For service as set forth in the following CITATION: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life and above and beyond the call of duty as the leader of a special reconnaissance element with Naval Special Warfare task unit Afghanistan on 27 and 28 June 2005. While leading a mission to locate a high-level anti-coalition militia leader, Lieutenant Murphy demonstrated extraordinary heroism in the face of grave danger in the vicinity of Asadabad, Konar Province, Afghanistan. On 28 June 2005, operating in an extremely rugged enemy-controlled area, Lieutenant Murphy's team was discovered by anti-coalition militia sympathizers, who revealed their position to Taliban fighters. As a result, between 30 and 40 enemy fighters besieged his four member team. Demonstrating exceptional resolve, Lieutenant Murphy valiantly led his men in engaging the large enemy force. The ensuing fierce firefight resulted in numerous enemy casualties, as well as the wounding of all four members of the team. Ignoring his own wounds and demonstrating exceptional composure, Lieutenant Murphy continued to lead and encourage his men. When the primary communicator fell mortally wounded, Lieutenant Murphy repeatedly attempted to call for assistance for his beleaguered teammates. Realizing the impossibility of communicating in the extreme terrain, and in the face of almost certain death, he fought his way into open terrain to gain a better position to transmit a call. This deliberate, heroic act deprived him of cover, exposing him to direct enemy fire. Finally achieving contact with his headquarters, Lieutenant Murphy maintained his exposed position while he provided his location and requested immediate support for his team. In his final act of bravery, he continued to engage the enemy until he was mortally wounded, gallantly giving his life for his country and for the cause of freedom. By his selfless leadership, Lieutenant Murphy reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."

The other members of the team were all awarded the Navy Cross. Only one made it out.

12/15/2009 1:21:25 AM

^Eh. I mean thats badass and all. And I am neither knocking or playing down what that guy did. That takes an amazing amount of bravery and guts, its just not really on the level of the previous 3 stories that have been posted. He crawled up and made a radio call and saved lives. Thats awesome. But I really doubt most people would classify doing that as "the most basass day ever" The other 3 guys, they all have one hell of an argument.

[Edited on December 15, 2009 at 1:28 AM. Reason : ..]

12/15/2009 1:28:04 AM

i hope barfoot chose some good killstreak rewards

12/15/2009 1:34:59 AM

^^ In their defense the 3 that were killed were all shot around 5 times each and continued fighting until taking shots to the head.

One continued fighting with the side of his skull blasted off.

12/15/2009 1:38:34 AM

Still not on the same level IMO.

12/15/2009 1:46:22 AM

Fair enough.

I felt the same way until I read the book on a flight.

12/15/2009 1:47:18 AM

Why compare, they all have more courage than I can imagine having.

12/15/2009 3:47:07 AM

lol @ barfoot calling in a tactical nuke for the win

12/15/2009 6:28:39 AM

Did any of them get a Killimanjaro?

12/15/2009 6:32:52 AM

with that kind of a hot streak you can call in air support. until you die then you have to respawn

12/15/2009 7:15:12 AM