The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Corporal Francis R. Foley, Jr. (MCSN: 309205), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Patrol Leader of Company E, Second Battalion, Nineteenth Marines, THIRD Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Guam, Mariana Islands, on 26 July 1944. Ordered to organize a patrol to locate and drive the Japanese from the surrounding ridges, Corporal Foley led his men against the hostile position in the face of heavy enemy fire and, although sustaining a wound during this action, continued to direct his patrol in attacking and destroying a Japanese position which had been harassing his company. Shortly thereafter, he again led a patrol in a search for wounded Marines and, encountering enemy machine-gun fire, quickly attacked and wiped out a five-man machine gun nest without casualties to his men. By his skill, leadership and devotion to duty, Corporal Foley upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.


