MARLBOROUGH – Nick Paganella remembered Jimmy Foley.
Both grew up in Marlborough. They both went to Marlborough High School, with Foley working part time at a nearby drug store.
“He was a great person,” said Paganella. “You knew he was going to make something of himself.”
When the Korean War broke out, they both joined the Army.
Paganella survived. James J. “Jimmy” Foley did not.
In honor of Foley’s sacrifice, on March 7, in City Hall, the city presented a Medal of Liberty to Foley’s family, including his nephew, James Foley.
“It’s great,” said Foley, who was born after his uncle was killed. “I’ve heard about my uncle my whole life.”
Matthew Sargent of the Marlborough Historical Society joined Veterans Agent Mike Hennessy in presenting more information about Foley.
Born in Lexington, Foley was a 1949 graduate of Marlborough High School. He enlisted into the Army in November 1950. He was assigned to Company I, 279th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division. The division was sent to Japan in March 1951. Later that year, the division was sent to Korea, taking front-line positions in Chorwon and Seoul.
Foley and the regiment took part in several fights against Chinese troops around the hills, including “Old Baldy.” Shortly after American troops took the hills, the Chinese counterattacked in early July 1952. On the morning of July 4, Foley left his entrenchment in order to find another automatic rifle after his had been damaged by incoming fire. While returning to his position, Foley was killed by a Chinese mortar round.
For his actions, Foley was awarded the Silver Star. He is buried in Immaculate Conception Cemetery; Foley Road is named in his honor.
The Massachusetts Medal of Liberty is bequeathed to the families of military personnel who had been killed in action.
The medal was supposed to be presented last year to James J. Foley’s sister, but the state ran out of medals, and his sister died before it could be presented.
Paganella, who is the commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars post in Sudbury, acted as master of ceremonies. He presented a citation from the VFW, along with small flags and “We the People” dog tags.
