Robert W. Foy

Robert William Foy (March 13, 1916 – March 25, 1950) was a United States Army Air Forces fighter pilot and triple-ace who was credited with 15 aerial victories during World War II.

Early life Foy was born on 1916 in New York.

World War II

In November 1943, the 357th Fighter Group was assigned to European Theater of Operations and was stationed at RAF Leiston in England, where the unit was now equipped with the North American P-51 Mustangs. On May 19, 1944, he shot down three Messerschmitt Bf 109s northwest of Brandenburg, Germany, his first aerial victories. On June 29, while leading 'Cement Green flight' on a bomber escort over Leipzig, Germany, they encountered four Focke-Wulf Fw 190s. Foy shot down one Fw 190 while in a Lufberry circle. He then shot down a Bf 109 that was attacking another P-51 and also shot down another Bf 109, bringing his total aerial victories to six and earning him the title of flying ace. On 25 July, he shot down a Bf 109 over Paris, France, his seventh aerial victory, before he returned back to the United States for shore leave.

In November 1944, Foy returned to the 357th FG for a second tour of duty. On November 18, while leading his flight to strafe an aerodrome in Strasbourg, they encountered eight Bf 109s circling around the aerodrome. Foy shot down one Bf 109 and damaged another. Before the end of 1944, he shot down three more enemy aircraft, bringing his total to 11 enemy aircraft destroyed.

On March 19, 1945, Foy took part in a flight escorting B-17 Flying Fortresses to targets in Ruhr, Germany. While over Giessen, Germany, Foy spotted three jet-powered Messerschmitt Me 262s bouncing on a flight of P-51s. He then chased the Me 262s and before they were able to accelerate out of his range, he managed to shoot at one of the Me 262 with shots hitting the aircraft's left engine. The Me 262 rolled over and crashed, crediting Foy with his fourteenth aerial victory. His fifteenth and final aerial victory was on March 24, when he shot down a Bf 109 over Gütersloh, Germany.

Post war After the war, Foy left from active duty at the rank of major. He joined California Air National Guard and commanded a fighter wing, and worked as a public relations representative for North American Aviation. On March 25, 1950, while flying a B-25 Mitchell converted for civilian use, from El Paso, Texas to Inglewood, California, he was killed with five other occupants when the aircraft broke up in mid-air over Gilbert, Arizona.

Aerial victory credits SOURCES: Air Force Historical Study 85: USAF Credits for the Destruction of Enemy Aircraft, World War II

Awards and decorations

USAF Senior Pilot Badge Silver Star Distinguished Flying Crosswith two bronze oak leaf clusters Purple HeartAir Medalwith three silver and one bronze oak leaf clusters Air Medalwith bronze oak leaf cluster(second ribbon required for accoutrement spacing) American Campaign MedalEuropean-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medalwith four bronze campaign starsWorld War II Victory Medal

Army Presidential Unit Citationwith bronze oak leaf cluster

Silver Star citation

Foy, Robert W. Major (Air Corps), U.S. Army Air Forces 363d Fighter Squadron, 357th Fighter Group, Eighth Air Force Date of Action: June 29, 1944

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