Robert F. Foley

Robert Franklin Foley (born May 30, 1941) is a retired United States Army lieutenant general who served in the Vietnam War. Born in Newton, Massachusetts, he received the Medal of Honor for leading his unit, Company A, 2d Battalion, 27th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division, in an assault on a strong enemy position on November 5, 1966. He was awarded the Medal of Honor along with Sergeant John F. Baker, Jr., who earned his own medal in the same battle.

Biography
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 commander with the 25th Infantry Division in Vietnam and battalion and brigade command with the 3rd Infantry Division in Germany. He served as chief of staff for the 7th Infantry Division (Light), 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 US Army, Fort Gillem, GA; commanding general, US Army Military District of Washington; and commanding general, Fifth US Army, Fort Sam Houston, Texas.

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

After his retirement, he served as president of Marion Military Institute (MMI) 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 General Foley became the eighth director of Army Emergency Relief.

Medal of Honor citation


Captain Foley's Medal of Honor citation reads: