The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander Robert Joseph Foley (NSN: 0-61364), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. GATO (SS-212), on the FOURTH War Patrol of that submarine during the period 13 January 1943 to 26 February 1943, in enemy controlled waters of the Bismarck-New Guinea-Truk areas of the Pacific. Upon sighting a hostile convoy escorted by warships, Lieutenant Commander Foley, with bold skill and daring, maneuvered his ship into position to strike the enemy and launched a vigorous attack. Sinking one Japanese transport and three cargo vessels totaling 31,700 tons, and damaging an unidentified ship, he successfully avoided detection and desperate anti-submarine counter measures on the part of enemy escorting vessels. His expert seamanship and unyielding devotion to duty, employed at great person risk in the face of grave danger, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander Robert Joseph Foley (NSN: 0-61364), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. GATO (SS-212), on the FIFTH, SIXTH, and SEVENTH War Patrols of that submarine during the period 19 March 1943 to 10 January 1944, in enemy controlled waters of the Bismarck-New Guinea-Truk areas of the Pacific. Encountering strong hostile opposition and repeated depth charge attacks throughout this hazardous period, Commander Foley daringly and aggressively fought his ship at every opportunity, sinking three valuable hostile craft and damaging three others, on each occasion skillfully evading the enemy and returning safe to base. When his craft was severely depth charged during one action resulting in extensive hull damage and loss of power, he valiantly kept his crippled ship under control and brought here back for repairs without loss of personnel. Commander Foley’s expert seamanship, courageous initiative and outstanding devotion to duty throughout many dangerous missions contributed materially to the successful operations against the enemy and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.