Medal Of Honor, gli eroi Americani dello sbarco di Anzio.

Medal of Honor
("medaglia d'onore" in italiano) è la più alta decorazione militare assegnata dal Governo degli Stati Uniti, simile alla Victoria Cross britannica, alla Legione d'onore francese, al Virtuti Militari Polacco o alla medaglia d'oro al valor militare italiana.

A volte è denominata "medaglia d'onore del congresso", in quanto il Presidente degli Stati Uniti presenta la decorazione "in nome del Congresso". È concessa a un membro delle United States Armed Forces che si è distinto per un

« [...] atto di coraggio e ardimento a rischio della propria vita sopra e al di là del richiamo del dovere mentre impegnato in uno scontro con un nemico degli Stati Uniti [...] »

A causa della sua natura, la medaglia è frequentemente assegnata postuma.

I membri di tutti i rami delle forze armate statunitensi sono idonei a ricevere la medaglia. Vi sono tre differenti design dell'onorificenza, a seconda della forza armata d'appartenenza del decorato.Esercito e Aeronautica hanno ciascuna la propria versione, mentre Marina, Corpo dei marines e Guardia costiera condividono tutte e tre lo stesso modello.

La medaglia d'onore è spesso assegnata personalmente al destinatario o, in caso di decorazione postuma, ai familiari, dal Presidente degli Stati Uniti. Per il suo alto valore, la medaglia è particolarmente protetta dalle leggi statunitensi[1].

La medaglia d'onore è una delle sole due onorificenze militari da portare al collo conferite dalle forze armate Statunitensi ed è l'unica conferita a membri delle forze armate statunitensi. L'altra è la Legion of Merit di grado comandante, ed è autorizzata ad essere richiesta solamente da parte di dignitari stranieri generalmente con grado pari al Chiefs of Staff.

 Stemma della "3d Infantry Division"

ANTOLAK, SYLVESTER

• Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company B, 15th Infantry, 3d Infantry Division.
• Place and date: Near Cisterna di Littoria, Italy, 24 May 1944.
• Entered service at: St. Clairsville, Ohio.
• Birth: St. Clairsville, Ohio.
• G.O. No.: 89, 19 October 1945.
• Citation: Near Cisterna di Littoria, Italy, he charged 200 yards over flat, coverless terrain to destroy an enemy machinegun nest during the second day of the offensive which broke through the German cordon of steel around the Anzio beachhead. Fully 30 yards in advance of his squad, he ran into withering enemy machinegun, machine-pistol and rifle fire. Three times he was struck by bullets and knocked to the ground, but each time he struggled to his feet to continue his relentless advance. With one shoulder deeply gashed and his right arm shattered, he continued to rush directly into the enemy fire concentration with his submachinegun wedged under his uninjured arm until within 15 yards of the enemy strong point, where he opened fire at deadly close range, killing 2 Germans and forcing the remaining 10 to surrender. He reorganized his men and, refusing to seek medical attention so badly needed, chose to lead the way toward another strong point 100 yards distant. Utterly disregarding the hail of bullets concentrated upon him, he had stormed ahead nearly three-fourths of the space between strong points when he was instantly killed by hostile enemy fire. Inspired by his example, his squad went on to overwhelm the enemy troops. By his supreme sacrifice, superb fighting courage, and heroic devotion to the attack, Sgt. Antolak was directly responsible for eliminating 20 Germans, capturing an enemy machinegun, and clearing the path for his company to advance.

                                                            

                                             Antolak riposa nel cimitero Americano di Nettuno

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BARFOOT, VAN T.

• Rank and organization: Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army, 157th Infantry, 45th Infantry Division.
• Place and date: Near Carano, (Aprilia) 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.

Stemma della "45a Infantry Division" 

BARFOOT  è morto il 2 Marzo 2012 all'età di 92 anni, aveva combattuto nella mitica 45a Infantry Division,

nella foto è il primo a sinistra, seduto.
I 7 con la medaglia d'onore erano ospiti presso la portaerei Nimitz per una festa in loro onore; l'America sa come onorare e ricordare...