Serving as a Marine in the U.S. Marine Corps, Sergeant Alexander Joseph Foley received the Medal of Honor for his actions on June 21, 1900 near Tientsin, China during the Boxer Rebellion. At the time he was serving with U.S.S. Monadnock. Foley was 34 years old.
3 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on August 15, 1901. He later rose to the rank of First Sergeant.
Foley was born on February 19, 1866 in Heckersville (Heckschersville), Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. His Medal of Honor is credited to Pennsylvania. Foley died on January 14, 1910 in San Juan, Puerto Rico, at the age of 43. He is buried at Culebra Naval Station Cemetery in Culebra, Puerto Rico.
Foley is one of 59 Medal of Honor recipients from the Boxer Rebellion and one of 380 credited to Pennsylvania.
Official Medal of Honor citation
In the presence of the enemy during the battle near Tientsin, China, 13 July 1900, Foley distinguished himself by meritorious conduct.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: Spanish–American War.
Places
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Pennsylvania →
Timeline
- February 19, 1866Born in Heckersville (Heckschersville), Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania
- June 21, 1900Act of valor — near Tientsin, ChinaAge 34. U.S.S. Monadnock
- August 15, 1901Medal of Honor presented
- January 14, 1910Died in San Juan, Puerto RicoAge 43.
- Resting placeCulebra Naval Station CemeteryCulebra, Puerto Rico
Biography
Sergeant Alexander Joseph Foley (February 19, 1866 – January 14, 1910) was a member of the United States Marine Corps who was awarded the United States' highest military decoration, the Medal of Honor, for having distinguished himself during the Boxer Rebellion.
From the Wikipedia article “Alexander J. Foley”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
