Private Carlton William Barrett was a soldier in the U.S. Army who received the Medal of Honor for his actions on June 6, 1944 in the vicinity of St. Laurent-sur-Mer, France during World War II. At the time he was serving with 18th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division. Barrett was 24 years old.
3 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on November 17, 1944. Paris, France, by General J.C.H. Lee. He later rose to the rank of Technical Sergeant.
Barrett was born on November 24, 1919 in Fulton, Oswego County, New York. His Medal of Honor is credited to Albany, Albany County, New York. Barrett died on March 3, 1986 in Yountville, California, at the age of 66. He is buried at Napa Valley Memorial Gardens in Napa, California. His medal is held by 1st Infantry Division Museum at Cantigny, Wheaton, IL.
Barrett is one of 474 Medal of Honor recipients from World War II and one of 678 credited to New York.
Official Medal of Honor citation
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.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Wounds and injuries
What the citation records about his wounds:
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.
- Age at death: 66
- Resting place: Napa Valley Memorial Gardens
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: World War II.
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in New York →
Timeline
- November 24, 1919Born in Fulton, Oswego County, New York
- June 6, 1944Act of valor — in the vicinity of St. Laurent-sur-Mer, FranceAge 24. 18th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division
- November 17, 1944Medal of Honor presentedParis, France, by General J.C.H. Lee
- March 3, 1986Died in Yountville, CaliforniaAge 66.
- Resting placeNapa Valley Memorial GardensNapa, California
Biography
Carlton William Barrett (November 24, 1919 – May 3, 1986), a native of Fulton, New York, was a United States Army soldier who received the Medal of Honor for heroism on Omaha Beach near Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer, France on June 6, 1944, during the Normandy landings (World War II).
From the Wikipedia article “Carlton W. Barrett”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
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