World War II Honoree

Joseph Gerald Foti

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Schenectady, New York

Honored By

Michael Lynett

Drafted in 1943, he proudly served in the U.S. Army with Company A, 158th Infantry Regiment 'The Bushmasters', a specialized unit specifically trained for jungle combat. He spent 18 months in the Pacific Theater of Operations and was severely wounded January, 1945 in the Philippine Islands. He showed extraordinary heroism as he voluntarily advanced from a relatively safe position, in the face of heavy artillery fire, rescuing his wounded buddies. For this combat action and others, he was awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star and Purple Heart. Although he had enough points to return to the United States, and was offered an instructor slot, he declined, remained with his unit, and did Occupation Duty in Japan, and was honorably discharged, December, 1945.