Carlton William Barrett
Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army
Medal of Honor Recipient
World War II

Staff Sergeant Carlton William Barrett (24 November 1919 - 3 May 1986) was a U.S. Army soldier who received the Medal of Honor for heroism near St. Laurent-sur-Mer, France, on 6 June 1944 during World War II.

Carlton William Barrett was born on 24 November 1919 at Fulton, NY. He joined the U.S. Army in Albany, NY. Barrett was a member of 18th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division. Barrett was one of four Medal of Honor recipients on D-Day, 6 June 1944.

Medal of Honor

Rank and organization: Private, U.S. Army, 18th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division.

Place and date: Near St. Laurent-sur-Mer, France, 6 June 1944.

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 Iying 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.

Death and Burial

Carlton W. Barrett died on 3 May 1986 and is buried at Napa Valley Memorial Park & Mortuary in Napa, CA.