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Honoring American TroopsMedal of Honor Archive

Ensign · U.S. Navy

Paul Frederick Foster

Ensign Paul Frederick Foster, Navy, received the Medal of Honor for actions between April 21 and 22, 1914 in Vera Cruz, Mexico during the 1914 Veracruz expedition.

Mexican Campaign (Vera Cruz) April 21 - 22, 1914

Ensign Paul Frederick Foster, a sailor in the U.S. Navy, received the Medal of Honor for gallantry between April 21 and 22, 1914 in Vera Cruz, Mexico during the 1914 Veracruz expedition. At the time he was serving with 3d Company, U.S.S. Utah Battalion, U.S.S. Utah. Foster was 25 years old.

40 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on January 24, 1916 — at New York Naval Shipyard, by Ernest D. McWhorter (Commanding Officer of U.S.S. G-4 (SS-26)). He later rose to the rank of Vice Admiral.

Foster was born on March 25, 1889 in Wichita, Sedgwick County, Kansas. His Medal of Honor is credited to Kansas. Foster died on January 30, 1972 in Virginia Beach, Virginia, at the age of 82. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.

Foster is one of 56 Medal of Honor recipients from the 1914 Veracruz expedition and one of 31 credited to Kansas.

Official Medal of Honor citation

For distinguished conduct in battle, engagements of Vera Cruz, 21-22 April 1914. In both days' fighting at the head of his company, Ens. Foster was eminent and conspicuous in his conduct, leading his men with skill and courage.

Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.

Other decorations and honors

Besides the Medal of Honor, Paul Frederick Foster received:

Navy Cross

Source: Wikidata. Gold chips link to our guide to that decoration.

Life beyond the battlefield

Source: Wikidata.

Places

  • Born: Wichita — map
  • Died: Virginia Beach — map
  • Buried: Arlington National Cemetery — map

Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Kansas →

Timeline

  1. March 25, 1889
    Born in Wichita, Sedgwick County, Kansas
  2. April 21 - 22, 1914
    Act of valor — Vera Cruz, Mexico
    Age 25. 3d Company, U.S.S. Utah Battalion, U.S.S. Utah
  3. January 24, 1916
    Medal of Honor presented
    at New York Naval Shipyard, by Ernest D. McWhorter (Commanding Officer of U.S.S. G-4 (SS-26))
  4. January 30, 1972
    Died in Virginia Beach, Virginia
    Age 82.
  5. Resting place
    Arlington National Cemetery
    Arlington, Virginia

Biography

Paul Frederick Foster (March 25, 1889 – January 30, 1972) was a highly decorated officer in the United States Navy with the rank of vice admiral. A graduate of the Naval Academy at Annapolis, he distinguished himself during the Battle of Veracruz in April 1914 and received Medal of Honor, the United States of America's highest and most-prestigious personal military decoration. During World War I, Foster commanded the submarine L-2 and is credited with the sinking of the German submarine SM UB-65 in July 1918, for which he received Navy Distinguished Service Medal.

From the Wikipedia article “Paul Frederick Foster”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →

Also honored for actions on April 21 - 22, 1914

OB Oscar Charles Badger Ensign · Navy Veracruz 1914 · 1914 HB Harry C. Beasley Seaman · Navy Veracruz 1914 · 1914 Randolph Carter Berkeley Major · Marine Corps Veracruz 1914 · 1914 Charles Francis Bishop Quartermaster Second Class · Navy Veracruz 1914 · 1914 GB George Bradley Chief Gunner's Mate · Navy Veracruz 1914 · 1914 Allen Buchanan Lieutenant Commander · Navy Veracruz 1914 · 1914 Guy Wilkinson stuart Castle Lieutenant · Navy Veracruz 1914 · 1914 George McCall Courts Lieutenant, j.g. · Navy Veracruz 1914 · 1914 GC George Cregan Coxswain · Navy Veracruz 1914 · 1914 PD Percy A. Decker Boatswain's Mate Second Class · Navy Veracruz 1914 · 1914 Abraham Desomer Lieutenant · Navy Veracruz 1914 · 1914 ND Niels Drustrup Lieutenant · Navy Veracruz 1914 · 1914

See all 41 recipients for April 21 - 22, 1914 →

Sources. Service and award details compiled from the recipient record of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, Wikidata and Wikipedia. The narrative summary is generated from these records. Spotted an error? Send a correction.