World War II Database

1.  Bill says:
11 Mar 2009 03:50:28 PM

Audie Murphy, sleep for years with the light on in whatever room he was sleeping in, and a .45 auto was under his pillow. I've met many Veterans, who still have trouble sleeping 30 or 40 years after their war time experiences.

2.  BILL says:
19 Mar 2009 02:59:58 PM

I've been in the same position, lost alone and not able to trust anyone. Took years just to start living. All I have ever asked, was a good nights sleep.

3.  BILL says:
8 May 2009 05:52:09 PM

Everyone knows about Audie Murphy however, many other soldiers also received the Medal of Honor. Matt L. Urban was one, he was a decorated Veteran of World War II, Urban was shot seven (7) times, and once in the throat. Killed 116 Germans. Matt L. Urban Lt. Colonel of Infantry.

4.  BILL says:
13 May 2009 05:35:06 PM

Look at an infantryman's eyes and you can tell how much war he has seen.
Bill Mauldin

5.  Bill says:
10 Feb 2010 04:20:58 PM

On June 15,1919 Van T. Barfoot was born in
Edinburg, Mississippi.
Twenty-five years later, on May 23, 1944 near Carano, Italy, Van T. Barfoot set out to flank German machine-gun positions from
which he was receiving fire.
He advanced through a minefield, took out the machine-gun, if that wasn't enough for a days work, he later took on and destroyed
three German tanks sent to retake the machine-gun positions.
That probably didn't make much news either,
given the scope of the war, but it did earn
Van T. Barfoot,who retired as a Colonel after
serving in Korea and Vietnam, a Congressional
Meal of Honor.

What did make the news was a neighborhood
association quibble with how the 90-year old
veteran chose to fly the American flag out-
side his suburban Virginia home.
Seems the rules said a flag could be flown on
a house-mounted bracket, but for decorum, items such as Barfoots 21-foot flagpole were
unsuitable.
He had been denied a permit for the pole, erected it anyway and was facing court action
if he didn't take it down. Since the story made national TV, the neighborhood assocation
has rethought its position and agreed to indulge this old hero who dwells among them.

In the time I have left I plan to continue to
fly the American flag, without interference,
Barfoot told The Associated Press.
As well he should, and if any of his neighbors still takes a notion to contest him
they should read his Medal of Honor Citation
It indicates he is not real good, at backing down.

This 1944 Medal of Honor Citation, listed w/
the National Medal of Honor Society, is for
Second Lieutenant Van T. Barfoot, 157th
Infantry, 45 Infantry:

For conspicuous gallantry and interpidity 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, 2nd. Lt. Barfoot moved off
alone upon the enemy left flank.
He crawled to the proximity of one machine gun nest and made a direct hit on it with a hand grenade, killing two and wounding three
Germans.
He continued along the German defense line to
another machine-gun emplacement, and with his tommygun killed two and captured three enemy 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 them up, he proceeded
to mop up positions in the immediate area,
capturing more prisoners and bringing his total count to seventeen.
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 patoons positions. Securing a bazooka, Sgt. Barfoot took up an exposed position directly in front
of three advancing enemy tanks.
From a distance of 75 yards his first shot destroyed the track of the lead tank, effectively disabling it, while the other
two advanced toward his direction. As the crew of the disabled tank dismounted, Sgt. Barfoot killed three of them with his tommy-
gun. 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 two 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 point blank fire are a perpetual inspiration
to his fellow soldiers.

"It's the Veteran, not the reporter, who has given us the freedom of the press."

"It's the Veteran, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech".

"It's the Veteran not the community organizer
who gives us freedom to demonstrate".

"It's the Military who salutes the flag, who serves beneath the flag, and whose coffin is
draped by the flag, who allows protesters to
burn the flag".

WE LIVE IN THE LAND OF THE FREE ONLY BECAUSE
OF THE BRAVE!

IN GOD WE TRUST.

"HE WHO IS BRAVE IS FREE"

-SENECA-

"AMERICA LOVE IT, OR LEAVE IT".

6. Dave says:
7 Nov 2010 08:02:41 PM

Please sign and support our Petition to honor Audie Murphy with the U.S. Presidential Medal of Freedom, for his lifetime contributions to the peace and security of America as well as his significant other cultural contributions.

Click or copy and paste into your browser to sign:

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/audiemurphy/

It only takes about 30 seconds!

Dave Phillips
Administrator
Audie Murphy Presidential Medal of Freedom Petition Campaign