"What an amazing opportunity! Standing Tall allows us to learn about
leadership from a true American hero." -- Mike Krzyzewski, former Head
Coach, Duke University and USA Olympic Gold Medal basketball teams.
Finalist, 2022 Army Historical Foundation Distinguished Writing
Awards
Robert Foley had only been in Vietnam for six months when he was
promoted to captain and given command of a rifle company. In November
1966, Foley led his men on a mission to rescue another company that had
been pinned down by Viet Cong forces. His leadership that day inspired
his men and led to a successful operation--and the Medal of Honor. His
actions in Vietnam were only a small portion of a long and varied career
of service in the US Army, but Foley did not always seem marked for
success. Coming from a blue-collar suburb of Boston, his years in West
Point were marked by poor grades, injuries, and sickness. With a
determination to lead by example and inspire trust among others, Foley
served across the globe and rose through the ranks. He even returned to
West Point as Commandant of Cadets, later retiring as a 3-star general
and commander of Fifth Army.