John William Foley

Corporal, U. S. Marine Corps

Silver Star

GENERAL ORDERS:
Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force Pacific: Serial 51256
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal John W. Foley (MCSN: 462068), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Group Leader of Company G, Second Battalion, Ninth Marines, THIRD Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 26 February 1945.
During an attack against heavily-fortified enemy positions, Corporal Foley fearlessly worked his way forward to a dual purpose hostile gun position while under heavy enemy mortar, machine gun and hand grenade fire and placed an explosive within the emplacement. When the Japanese removed this charge and also a second one before it exploded, he again braved the hostile fire to place a third charge which exploded and killed seven enemy personnel, thereby enabling his squad to come forward and destroy the weapon with incendiary grenades. His courage and aggressive fighting spirit were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.