World War II Honoree

Arthur J. Foley, Sr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Boston, Massachusetts

Honored By

Mr. Arthur J. Foley Jr

Relationship

Son

COMMISSIONED 1ST LIEUTENANT JUNE 9, 1941. ENTERED ACTIVE DUTY JULY 16, 1941. ASSIGNED TO 8TH RECONNAISSANCE TROOP AT FORT JACKSON, SOUTH CAROLINA. SENT TO THE EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN THEATER, SEPTEMBER 26, 1942. RETURNED HOME APRIL 28, 1945. OFFICIAL DATE OF SEPARATION WAS JANUARY 25, 1946. SERVED 44 MONTHS AS MECHANIZED CAVALRY UNIT COMMANDER. COMMANDED TROOP E, 117TH RECONNAISSANCE SQUADRON. RESPONSIBLE FOR TRAINING, MAINTENANCE, ADMINISTRATION, FIRE DIRECTION, OBSERVATION OF FIRE AND TACTICAL EMPLOYMENT OF SEVEN 105MM SELF-PROPELLED HOWITZERS, 95 MEN AND 5 JUNIOR OFFICERS. IN COMBAT IN ROME-ARNO, SOUTHERN FRANCE, NORTHERN FRANCE, RHINELAND AND GERMANY CAMPAIGNS. SPENT LAST 4 MONTHS OF SERVICE AS AIR OPERATIONS STAFF OFFICER AND AERIAL OBSERVER. PARTICIPATED IN FREQUENT FLIGHTS OVER ENEMY TERRITORY DIRECTING FIRE AND FIGHTER BOMBERS ONTO TARGETS. AWARDED THE BRONZE STAR, AIR MEDAL, COMBAT INFANTRYMAN BADGE, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN RIBBON WITH 5 BRONZE STARS AND AN ARROWHEAD. IN ADDITION, HE RECEIVED THE AMERICAN DEFENSE, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN, WORLD WAR II VICTORY, AND GOOD CONDUCT MEDALS. AFTER DISCHARGE FROM ACTIVE DUTY IN FORT RILEY, KANSAS, HE REMAINED ACTIVE IN THE RESERVE FORCES AND RETIRED AS A LIEUTENANT COLONEL.