Robert F. Foley


Robert Franklin Foley is a retired United States Army lieutenant general who served in the Vietnam War. He received the Medal of Honor for leading his unit in an assault on a strong enemy position on November 5, 1966, during Operation Attleboro.

Military career

Foley is a 1963 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point and was commissioned an infantry officer. He has held numerous command and staff positions throughout 37 years of active service. He has a Master of Business Administration from Fairleigh Dickinson University.
Foley's command positions include Company A, 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division in South Vietnam and battalion and brigade command with the 3rd Infantry Division in West Germany. He served as chief of staff for the 7th Infantry Division, Fort Ord, California; executive officer to the assistant secretary of the army for manpower and reserve affairs; assistant division commander, 2nd Infantry Division, Commandant of Cadets, United States Military Academy, West Point, New York; deputy commanding general, Second United States Army, Fort Gillem, Georgia; commanding general, United States Army Military District of Washington; and commanding general, Fifth United States Army, Fort Sam Houston, Texas.

Awards and decorations

Foley's awards for peacetime and combat include the Medal of Honor, two Army Distinguished Service Medals, the Defense Superior Service Medal, six Legions of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, five Meritorious Service Medals and the Combat Infantryman's Badge. He was also awarded the Parachutist Badge and the Ranger Tab.

Later life

After his retirement in 2000, Foley served as president of Marion Military Institute in Marion, Alabama, until his resignation at the end of academic year 2003–2004. During his tenure at MMI, the school saw tremendous growth and recognition in Alabama, and across the United States. On October 1, 2005, Foley became the eighth director of Army Emergency Relief.

Medal of Honor citation

Captain Foley's Medal of Honor citation reads: