“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. Table of Contents Chapter 1 – Early Years Chapter 2 – New Cadet Barracks Chapter 3 – Plebe Year Chapter 4 – Keeping the Faith Chapter 5 – Wolfhounds Chapter 6 – The War in Vietnam Chapter 7 – Rifle Company Commander Chapter 8 – Operation Attleboro Chapter 9 – Two Decisions Chapter 10 – About Face Chapter 11 – Battalion Operations Officer Chapter 12 – Moscow and Leningrad Chapter 13 – Battalion Commander Chapter 14 – Naval War College Chapter 15 – Brigade Commander Chapter 16 – Crisis Management Chapter 17 – Assistant Division Commander Chapter 18 – Commandant of Cadets Chapter 19 – Company Tactical Officers and Non-Commissioned Officers Chapter 20 – Mission Essential Task Enhancement Chapter 21 – Honor and Respect Chapter 22 – Deputy Commanding General, Second Army Chapter 23 – Commanding General, US Army Military District of Washington Chapter 24 – Commanding General, Fifth Army Chapter 25 – Epilogue Acknowledgements Endnotes Bibliography Index “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. "Combining easy prose and splendid writing, Foley’s leadership odyssey deserves a wide audience. Standing Tall is a primer on leadership that ought to be on every American soldier’s mandatory reading list." ARMY Magazine "True to its title, the book chronicles the evolution of a young soldier into an effective and capable military leader. Foley shares wise observations about leadership of soldiers that have withstood the test of time throughout military history..." Vietnam Magazine “General Foley’s book presents a marvelous description of character-focused leadership, of both its development and practice during a full career of service to our country. The story is superbly told in succinct, clear, and memorable prose." Lieutenant General Dave R. Palmer, US Army Retired, former Superintendent of the US Military Academy and author of "George Washington and Benedict Arnold: A Tale of Two Patriots" “ Standing Tall is an awesome and amazing story of a humble American war hero, who grew up in middle America, endured the discipline of a West Point education and amidst the harshness and challenges of Vietnam, exhibited the ultimate expression of leadership, when he personally assaulted enemy bunkers. A book to inspire young people, to uplift military and veterans and to motivate any reader to reflect a caring attitude to all.” The Honorable Allen Clark, author of "Wounded Soldier, Healing Warrior: A Personal Story of a Vietnam Veteran who lost both legs but Found His Soul" “One of America’s most heroic soldiers, General Robert Foley has written a practical guide to values-based leadership woven from the rich tapestry of his exemplary life of selfless service and battlefield courage. This is one of the finest contemporary reads available on a life of duty, honor, and country.” Lieutenant General David H. Huntoon, US Army Retired, former Superintendent of the US Military Academy and Commandant of the Army War College “Bob Foley presents a compelling narrative of a Soldier’s life that transcends the test of time.” General Dennis J. Reimer, US Army Retired, former Army Chief of Staff, Chairman of the Board for American Armed Forces Mutual Aid Association “Beautifully written. A concise, entertaining and poignant memoir from a true American hero.” Jeff Shaara, author of "Gone for Soldiers: A Novel of the Mexican War" and recipient of the 2017 Medal of Honor Foundation Bob Hope award for Excellence in Entertainment “Everybody benefits from having an idol. Bob Foley is mine. I have known him for more than half a century, and he never ceases to teach me things that I need to know. His intellect, his insight and—almost a