Standing Tall: Leadership Lessons in the Life of a Soldier

“What an amazing opportunity! Standing Tall allows us to learn about leadership from a true American hero.” ― Mike Krzyzewski, former Head Coach, Duke University and USA Olympic Gold Medal basketball teams. Finalist, 2022 Army Historical Foundation Distinguished Writing AwardsRobert Foley had only been in Vietnam for six months when he was promoted to captain and given command of a rifle company. In November 1966, Foley led his men on a mission to rescue another company that had been pinned down by Viet Cong forces. His leadership that day inspired his men and led to a successful operation—and the Medal of Honor. His actions in Vietnam were only a small portion of a long and varied career of service in the US Army, but Foley did not always seem marked for success. Coming from a blue-collar suburb of Boston, his years in West Point were marked by poor grades, injuries, and sickness. With a determination to lead by example and inspire trust among others, Foley served across the globe and rose through the ranks. He even returned to West Point as Commandant of Cadets, later retiring as a 3-star general and commander of Fifth Army.Table of ContentsChapter 1 – Early YearsChapter 2 – New Cadet BarracksChapter 3 – Plebe YearChapter 4 – Keeping the FaithChapter 5 – WolfhoundsChapter 6 – The War in VietnamChapter 7 – Rifle Company CommanderChapter 8 – Operation AttleboroChapter 9 – Two DecisionsChapter 10 – About FaceChapter 11 – Battalion Operations OfficerChapter 12 – Moscow and LeningradChapter 13 – Battalion CommanderChapter 14 – Naval War CollegeChapter 15 – Brigade CommanderChapter 16 – Crisis ManagementChapter 17 – Assistant Division CommanderChapter 18 – Commandant of CadetsChapter 19 – Company Tactical Officers and Non-Commissioned OfficersChapter 20 – Mission Essential Task EnhancementChapter 21 – Honor and RespectChapter 22 – Deputy Commanding General, Second ArmyChapter 23 – Commanding General, US Army Military District of WashingtonChapter 24 – Commanding General, Fifth ArmyChapter 25 – EpilogueAcknowledgementsEndnotesBibliographyIndex Read more