Carlton William Barrett (November 24, 1919 – May 3, 1986),[1] a native of Fulton, New York, was a United States Army soldier who received the Medal of Honor for heroism near Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer, France on June 6, 1944, during the Normandy landings (World War II).
Carlton W. Barrett | |
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| Born | November 24, 1919 Fulton, New York, US |
| Died | May 3, 1986 (aged 66) Napa, California, US |
| Place of burial | Chapel of the Chimes Cemetery Napa, California |
| Allegiance |  United States of America |
| Service/ |  United States Army |
| Years of service | 1940–1963 |
| Rank |  Staff Sergeant |
| Unit | 18th Infantry Regiment |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards | Medal of Honor Bronze Star Medal |
Military service edit
Joined the United States Army from Albany, New York, in October 1940.[2] He was a member of, 18th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division. Barrett was one of four Medal of Honor recipients on D-Day, June 6, 1944.[3]
He continued serving in the Army until June 1963, retiring with the rank of Staff Sergeant.[4]
Death edit
Carlton W Barrett died on May 3, 1986, and he is buried at Chapel of the Chimes Cemetery in Napa, California.[5]
Awards and honors edit
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| Combat Infantryman Badge | |||||
| Medal of Honor | Bronze Star Medal | Army Good Conduct Medal with bronze clasp with five knots | |||
| American Defense Service Medal | American Campaign Medal | European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with Arrowhead device, one silver and three bronze campaign stars | |||
| World War II Victory Medal | National Defense Service Medal with bronze service star |
French Croix de Guerre with Palm | |||
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| Presidential Unit Citation with one bronze oak leaf cluster |
Medal of Honor citation edit
- For gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty on 6 June 1944, in the vicinity of St. Laurent-sur-Mer, France. On the morning of D-day Pvt. Barrett, landing in the face of extremely heavy enemy fire, was forced to wade ashore through neck-deep water. Disregarding the personal danger, he returned to the surf again and again to assist his floundering comrades and save them from drowning. Refusing to remain pinned down by the intense barrage of small-arms and mortar fire poured at the landing points, Pvt. Barrett, working with fierce determination, saved many lives by carrying casualties to an evacuation boat lying offshore. In addition to his assigned mission as guide, he carried dispatches the length of the fire-swept beach; he assisted the wounded; he calmed the shocked; he arose as a leader in the stress of the occasion. His coolness and his dauntless daring courage while constantly risking his life during a period of many hours had an inestimable effect on his comrades and is in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Army.[6]
His medal ceremony took place at Paris, France on 17 November 1944, and he was decorated by Lt. Gen. John C. H. Lee, Deputy Theater Commander of the European Theater of Operations and Commanding General, Communication Zone, ETO.
See also edit
References edit
This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Army Center of Military History.
- ^ Syracuse.com
- ^ WWII Army Enlistment Records
- ^ "World War II Medal of Honor recipients". Medal of Honor citations. United States Army Center of Military History. August 3, 2009. Archived from the original on August 18, 2011. Retrieved July 1, 2010.
- ^ America's Heroes: Medal of Honor Recipients
- ^ vconline.org.uk
- ^ "Medal of Honor recipients". United States Army Center of Military History. August 3, 2009. Archived from the original on August 18, 2011. Retrieved January 6, 2010.
External links edit
- "Courage Under Fire". Osprey Publishing. Archived from the original on January 5, 2005. Retrieved September 24, 2010.
- "Carlton W. Barrett". Claim to Fame: Medal of Honor recipients. Find a Grave. Retrieved 2008-07-02.