John Daniel Foldberg

West Point, 1951

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Jose Andres "Andy" Chacon on August 29, 2004:

John Daniel Foldberg Born April 22, 1928 - Died May 30,2002 John Daniel "Dan'l" Foldberg was born in Dallas, Texas on 22 April 1928 and was appointed to West Point as a Qualified Alternate His West Point classmates recall: "From the Lone Star country, Dan'l brings a winning smile and the friendliness of his state. His interest in sports is exemplified by his wide participation, and to those who know him, Dan'l is All-American on and off the athletic field. His ambition is to ride herd on stray clouds with a trusty jet for a mount. This fact brings forth a prediction of a top-flight hired hand for the Air Force." During his cadet days Dan'l went out for Basketball and LaCrosse and was on the Hop Committee all four years; for Football yearling, cow, and first class year and earned a Major 'A' and was Captain of the Army Team first class year; was Class President cow and first class year; and was a Cadet Captain his first class year serving as Regimental Training Officer. Upon graduation Dan'l went in the Infantry and after completing the Basic Infantry Course at Fort Benning, Georgia reported to Camp Breckinridge where he served through most of 1952 and then went to Korea and served with the 15th Infantry Regiment from 1952 until 1953. He was awarded the Commendation Medal for distinguished service. On return to stateside Dan'l was assigned to the Staff & Faculty at the Ranger School from 1954 to 1956, then he was assigned to the Staff & Faculty at the Airborne School. From 1958 to 1960 Dan'l served with the 82nd Airborne Division and was awarded a second Commendation Medal for distinguished service. In 1961 Dan'l attended the Aviation Logistics School and on completion was appointed Aide-de-Camp to the Commanding General of Allied Land Forces Southern Europe where he served in that capacity until 1964 and was awarded the Joint Service Commendation Medal. In 1965 Dan'l attended the Senior School of the Marine Corps and on completion was assigned as a Tactical Officer to West Point where he served from 1965 to 1967 and was awarded a third Commendation Medal for distinguished service. Dan's next assignment was as Executive Officer of the 3rd Brigade, 101st Airborne Division and later as Company Commander with the 2nd Brigade from 1967 to 1968. Dan'l was decorated with the Silver Star for distinguished gallantry in action; the Bronze Star Medal for distinguished heroism against an enemy; a fourth Commendation Medal for distinguished service; and the Purple Heart for wounds in action against an enemy. Then Dan'l turned right around and went back to the Republic of Vietnam and served as G3 and as Battalion Commander with the 5th Division and was decorated with the Meritorious Service Medal for conspicuously meritorious performance of duty in a non-combat situation; and a fifth Commendation Medal for distinguished service. In 1970 Dan'l was assigned to Office, Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, Department of the Army where he served until 1971. In 1972 Dan'l attended the National War College, Fort Lesley McNair, Washington, D.C., and earned a Master of Science degree in International Affairs from George Washington University and then went on to be Deputy Chief of Staff, Operations at United States Military Academy and served in that capacity until 1973. From 1973 to 1975 served as Fourth Regimental Commander at West Point. From West Point Dan'l served as Deputy Commanding Officer, North East Region, Recruiting Commanding and served until 1977. Dan's last military assignment was as Director of Recruiting and Retention for the 1st Army; a position he held until 1978 when he retired from the United States Army as a Colonel. Dan'l and his wife Marian made their home in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Dan died on May 30, 2002. Dan was an Infantryman. For the Infantryman's Creed click: Creed jac; 18425

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