Peter John Foss

West Point, 1951

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Jose A. "Andy" Chacon on January 22, 2010:

Peter John Foss April 16, 1929 -- June 9, 2007 Peter John "Pete" Foss was born in Litchfield MN on 16 April 1929 and was appointed to West Point from the 6th Congressional District. His Dad was a World War One vet; three of his brothers and a sister served in the Army. His West Point classmates recall: "Well, I know I'm right and I don't care how many P's disagree". Such was the basis of many a conflict between Pete and the Academic Department. A man of strong convictions and an inveterate yarn spinner, Pete has brightened many a bull session. Possessed of considerate athletic ability, he preferred bloody intramural battles and sports writing to the sack. We have enjoyed knowing him, the Army will too". During his cadet days, Pete was an Acolyte at the Catholic Chapel, on the Sports Writer Detail and spotted sports events for radio and television networks all four years at West Point; went out for Soccer; captained and coached Regimental football intramural champions; was on the Public Information Detail, plebe and yearling years; was Sports Editor on the Howitzer Staff, cow and first class years; and was a Cadet Sergeant his first class year. Upon graduation, he chose the Infantry and after completing the Basic Infantry Course at Fort Benning, GA, went to Camp Roberts, CA as Instructor in the Leaders' Course. In early 1952, reported as Company Commander with the 5th Regimental Combat Team in Korea where he served until 1953 earning the Bronze Star Medal for distinguished heroism against the enemy and the Combat Infantryman Badge. From 1953, Pete served with the 511th Airborne Division at Fort Campbell KY, "gyroscopng" with his Company to Augsburg, Germany (1956 to 1959). While in Augsburg, he served with his younger brother and his sister was an Army nurse. He was awarded the Commendation Ribbon upon completion of this duty. From 1960 to 1964, Pete served as Assistant Professor of Military Science at LaSalle Military Academy at Oakdale, Long Island, New York. Upon completion of Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth KS in 1965, Pete received orders to Korea where he served as Assistant G-1, Eighth Army until 1966. In 1968 Pete received his Masters degree in Journalism from the University of Wisconsin at Madison and then was assigned as the Information Officer for the 32nd Air Defense Command in Kaiserslautern, Germany and was awarded the Commendation Medal for distinguished service. In 1969, after only ten months in Germany, Pete was sent to Viet Nam where he had three assignments: Brigade Executive Officer and Battalion Commander with the 82nd Airborne Division; and then Battalion Commander with the Americal Division after an extension of his tour of duty. Pete was decorated with the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services, three additional Bronze Star Medals (one for valor) for distinguished heroism against the enemy; 5 Air Medals (one for valor) for distinguished service and his second Combat Infantryman Badge. From 1970 to 1971, Pete was the Information Officer at The Infantry Center, Fort Benning GA where he handled the Press Center for the My Lai Court Martial (over 100 news people daily) and was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal. Pete's next assignment was in the office of the Chief of Information (at the Pentagon from 1971 to 1973) where he prepared the Public Affairs Plan for the return of the POWs in 1973. He retired from the United States Army as a Colonel and was awarded a second Legion Of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services. After retirement, Pete became a college professor in the Media and Communications Department at North Shore Community College, Beverly MA, becoming department chair in 1975. Peter and his wife, Marie, made their home in Rockport MA where he served as Rockport's representative on the vocational school board for eight years (1975 - 1981), establishing a regional vocational school for 15 towns on the North Shore. The November 1997 Assembly notes, "Pete and Marie enjoy life on the Atlantic shore in Rockport MA. They have three married children and delight in their three grandchildren. Pete has retired from full time teaching but still teaches one evening class and subs in the local school system as needed. He writes a guest column for our local paper and also guest lectures on "The Conflicts between the Press and the Courts" (an expertise he mastered while handling the Lt Calley Court Martial). Marie is a full time administrator at the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy in Cambridge MA. Pete had a total knee replacement last spring with an excellent recovery". Pete's brother, John (USMA 1956) retired as a four star and both were serving in Viet Nam in 1969-1970.

admin