US Navy Vice Admiral, Veracruz Occupation Medal of Honor Recipient. He received the award from US Navy Commander Ernest D. McWhorter at the New York Naval Shipyard on January 24, 1916 for his actions as an ensign assigned to the USS Utah on 21-22 April 1914, at the Battle of Veracruz, Mexico, that began the seven month US occupation of Veracruz in response to the Tampico Affair. The son of a Congregationalist minister, he received an appointment to the US Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland, graduating in 1911 with the rank of ensign and served aboard the battleship USS Utah, In April 1914 his ship was ordered to Veracruz, Mexico to occupy the city, and he led his sailors ashore during the fighting on April 21–22, for which he was awarded the Medal of Honor. He resigned from the US Navy in 1929, but was recalled to active duty in 1941 by President Franklin Roosevelt, and assigned to conduct naval inspections for him personally from 1942 until 1943. He served as Assistant Naval Inspector General from 1943 until 1946 and retired at the rank of vice admiral. From 1954 until 1959 he worked for the Atomic Energy Commission, serving as its Deputy General Manager in 1959. Form 1959 until 1961, he was the US Representative to the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna, Austria. Among his other military awards and honors include the Navy Cross, the Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit and the Navy Commendation Medal, among others. He died at the age of 82. In 1976 the Spruance-class destroyer USS Paul F. Foster was named in his honor. His Medal of Honor citation reads: "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."
US Navy Vice Admiral, Veracruz Occupation Medal of Honor Recipient. He received the award from US Navy Commander Ernest D. McWhorter at the New York Naval Shipyard on January 24, 1916 for his actions as an ensign assigned to the USS Utah on 21-22 April 1914, at the Battle of Veracruz, Mexico, that began the seven month US occupation of Veracruz in response to the Tampico Affair. The son of a Congregationalist minister, he received an appointment to the US Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland, graduating in 1911 with the rank of ensign and served aboard the battleship USS Utah, In April 1914 his ship was ordered to Veracruz, Mexico to occupy the city, and he led his sailors ashore during the fighting on April 21–22, for which he was awarded the Medal of Honor. He resigned from the US Navy in 1929, but was recalled to active duty in 1941 by President Franklin Roosevelt, and assigned to conduct naval inspections for him personally from 1942 until 1943. He served as Assistant Naval Inspector General from 1943 until 1946 and retired at the rank of vice admiral. From 1954 until 1959 he worked for the Atomic Energy Commission, serving as its Deputy General Manager in 1959. Form 1959 until 1961, he was the US Representative to the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna, Austria. Among his other military awards and honors include the Navy Cross, the Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit and the Navy Commendation Medal, among others. He died at the age of 82. In 1976 the Spruance-class destroyer USS Paul F. Foster was named in his honor. His Medal of Honor citation reads: "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."
Bio by: William Bjornstad
Family Members
Advertisement
See more Foster memorials in:
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
