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| Spc. Ryan Foley, a 14G with 4th Battalion, 60th ADA, exemplified the Army's core values. His recent actions in aiding a fellow Soldier underscore Fort Sill’s motto, 'Life is Better with Great Teammates,' and embodied the spirit of 'This is My Squad |
FORT SILL, OK, UNITED STATES
09.20.2023
Story by Christopher Wilson
Fort Sill Public Affairs
FORT SILL, Okla. (Sept.19, 2023) — On the morning of March 5, 2023, Spc. Ryan Foley from Daytona Beach, Florida, exemplified the core values of the Army. He embraced Fort Sill's motto, "Life is Better with Great Teammates," and truly embodied the spirit of "This is My Squad."
On the morning of March 5, 2023, Spc. Ryan Foley of Daytona Beach, Florida, demonstrated the true essence of Army's values proving that the Fort Sill motto "Life is Better with Great Teammates" and embodying the spirit of "This is My Squad."
Foley, an Air Defense Artillery Soldier, with 4th Battalion, 60th Air Defense Artillery, was off-duty at his residence when he received a distressing call about a fellow Soldier, Spc. Jalen Jones. Without hesitation, Foley drove to the barracks, assisted the ailing Jones down three flights of stairs, and rushed him to the emergency room. Doctors later revealed that Jones had been experiencing mini-strokes and required immediate open-heart surgery.
"The situation was dire," said one ER doctor. "Had it not been for Foley's swift actions, the outcome could have been tragic."
Given the critical nature of the situation, the Fort Sill Casualty Assistance Center took immediate action to bring Jones' family from New Jersey. Encouraged by his chain of command, Foley took the initiative to assist the family and remained by his friend's side throughout the surgery.
1st Lt. Tyler St. Clair, battery executive officer and Foley’s former platoon leader said, "Foley has always been the kind of person who jumps into action and is willing to help his fellow Soldiers. I wasn’t surprised when I heard what he did, and I don’t think Jones would be here today if it wasn’t’ for him."
Foley's commitment to his fellow Soldiers extends beyond this single act. "This is a community, and that's how I treat any Soldier," Foley said. "We're all one team. We're all here for each other."
His dedication to service is evident in his decision to join the Army in January 2020, continuing a long family tradition. "If I didn't [join], I would have broken a very long lineage of men in the family that join the army," Foley shared.
When asked about his choice of Air Defense Artillery, Foley humorously recounted his recruiter's uncertainty about the role. Despite the initial ambiguity, Foley expressed his passion for the job and his aspirations to become a warrant officer.
Reflecting on the incident, Foley emphasized the importance of looking out for one another, especially for single Soldiers without family nearby. "I really try to emphasize helping them out any way I can," he said.
Jones, still recovering but in good spirits, expressed his gratitude, saying, "If it wasn't for Ryan, I wouldn’t be here right now. He's more than just a fellow Soldier; he's a brother."
Jones' recovery has been a testament to the Army's sense of community and the bonds formed between Soldiers. "I'm just glad that he's still here," Foley expressed, emphasizing the importance of teamwork and camaraderie.
When asked if his Army training influenced his actions that night, Foley responded affirmatively. "Of course. Even through basic training... we all kind of banded together," he said.
For his actions, Foley was awarded the Army Commendation Medal with the following citation: “On 05 March 2023, SPC Foley went above and beyond the call of duty when he quickly acted to assist medical professionals render lifesaving aid to a fellow Soldier. Upon being notified, he drove to the barracks from his off-post residence, carried the Soldier down three flights of stairs, put him in his personally owned vehicle, and drove him to the Emergency Room (ER). After arriving at the ER, doctors rushed to perform open-heart surgery on the Soldier.”
“Foley's actions are a shining example of ‘This is My Squad.’ His story serves as a reminder that in the Army, every Soldier is part of a larger family, always ready to support and uplift one another in times of need,” said Fires Center of Excellence and Fort Sill Command Sgt. Maj. Neil Sartain.
