- SURNAME
Foley
- FORENAME
John Paul
- UNIT
508 Parachute Infantry Regiment (Company A)
- RANK
First Lieutenant
- NUMBER
0-1287332
- AWARD
Distinguished Service Cross, Bronze Star
- PLACE
Normandy 1944 (BS) Germany 1944 (DSC)
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
born 24.02.1918 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
father Edward John Foley (1889-1953)
mother Mary Margaret (nee Davis) Foley (1888-1953)
graduated Sacred Heart High School
civil occupation Bookkeepers and cashiers, except bank cashiers
employed by The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company
single without dependents upon enlistment
1940 draft card Vineland, Cumberland County, New Jersey
21.02.1941 entered service Trenton, New Jersey
1943 married Jeanette (nee Hancock) Foley (1921-2004)
entered service Vineland, New Jersey
died 11.07.2008 (Aged 90) Arlington, Texas, USA
Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia, USA. Section 54, Site 5774
CITATION:
Distinguished Service Cross : The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to First Lieutenant (Infantry) John Paul Foley, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company A, 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division, in action against enemy forces from 19 to 24 September, 1944 at Wyler-Meer, Germany. During an attack, Lieutenant Foley moved with his attacking groups, coordinating their movement and directing their fire with such complete disregard to enemy fire that he imbued his men with much courage and daring. He controlled the action of his three platoons with assurance, leading the attack and driving the enemy from the hill. He reorganized his company and staved off six vicious attacks by a determined enemy while the company position was raked with artillery and automatic fire. The second day, enemy infiltration had encircled his position and cut off all communication and supply routes to battalion. A redistribution of ammunition revealed only five rounds per rifle and none for the automatic weapons. When called upon by the enemy to surrender his position, Lieutenant Foley defiantly refused, and continued to hold the hill. For five days, Lieutenant Foley defended his position under ceaseless artillery and mortar bombardment, repelling attacks by vastly superior forces and countering aggressive enemy patrol action, both day and night. The tireless, determined efforts of Lieutenant Foley in the attack and subsequently in the conduct of the defense, together with his exemplary leadership, gave much encouragement to his men and played a large part in the stubborn defense of this position against a numerically superior enemy. This accomplishment effectively weakened the enemy in this sector and hastened their eventual withdrawal. Lieutenant Foley rendered a vital and distinguished service in the defense against determined German offensive action aimed at seizing the key terrain south of Nijmegen. His accomplishments, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 82d Airborne Division, and the United States Army.
WEB LINKS:
• https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/22119FINDAGRAVE:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/28314620/john-paul-foley
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