Installation Renaming: Learn About the Hero Behind Fort Barfoot 

Effective March 24, Fort Pickett is now Fort Barfoot, beginning a new era for the Virginia National Guard installation.

The post was renamed in honor of Col. Van. T. Barfoot, who enlisted in 1940 and received the Medal of Honor for his service during World War II as a technical sergeant in the 45th Infantry Division.

The Exchange operates a retail store and barber shop at the 41,000-acre installation, where more than 225 full-time state and federal employees provide support to tenant and training units, with barracks to support more than 5,000 personnel as well as an Army airfield operation.

On May 23, 1944, Barfoot advanced a sole assault against German troops and tanks near Carano, Italy. While his platoon was heavily engaged, Barfoot single-handedly took several German positions in the area, including three machine-gun nests, and took 17 prisoners.

Later that day, German forces launched an armored counterattack to retake the now Allied-controlled ground. Barfoot, armed with a bazooka, took up an exposed position directly in front of three advancing tanks, destroying the track of the leading tank from a distance of 75 yards and killing three enemy troops with a tommy gun as they dismounted the disabled tank.

After destroying a recently abandoned German mobile artillery piece with a demolition charge, Barfoot returned to his platoon position and helped two wounded members 1,700 yards to a safe position.

Following the end of World War II, Barfoot remained in the military for 34 years, later serving in Korea and Vietnam.

The former Fort Pickett is among nine U.S. Army installations to undergo a name change this year on the recommendation of the Commission on the Naming of Items of the Department of Defense.

Preparing the Fort Barfoot Exchange for the name change affected nearly every directorate, including IT, MD, FA, Corporate Communication and more.

“The Exchange is honored to serve those who serve at Fort Barfoot,” said General Manager Lajima Marshall-Pierce. “The Exchange’s commitment to bringing the goods and services our men and women in uniform need to carry out their mission remains steadfast and unchanged.”