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{{short description|US Navy admiral and Medal of Honor recipient (1889–1972)}}
{{Infobox military person
|name= Paul Frederick Foster
|birth_date= {{Birth date|1889|3|25}}
|death_date= {{Death date and age|1972|1|30|1889|3|25}}
|birth_place= [[Wichita, Kansas]], US
|death_place= [[Virginia Beach, Virginia]], US
|placeofburial= [[Arlington National Cemetery]] (Section 5, site 106)
|image=VADM Paul F Foster 1950s.jpg
|caption= Vice Admiral Paul Foster in the 1950s
|nickname=
|allegiance= {{flag|United States of America}}
|branch=[[File:United States Department of the Navy Seal.svg|25px]] [[United States Navy]]
|serviceyears=1911–1929, 1941–1946
|rank= [[File:US-O9 insignia.svg|38px]] [[Vice admiral (United States)|Vice admiral]]
|commands=[[USS L-2 (SS-41)|USS ''L-2'']] [[USS G-4 (SS-26)|USS ''G-4'']]
|unit=
|battles= [[Mexican Revolution]]
* [[United States occupation of Veracruz|Battle of Veracruz]]
[[World War I]] [[World War II]]
|awards= [[Medal of Honor]] [[Navy Cross (United States)|Navy Cross]] [[Navy Distinguished Service Medal|Distinguished Service Medal]] [[Legion of Merit]] [[Navy Commendation Medal]]
|laterwork= [[International Atomic Energy Agency]]
}}

'''Paul Frederick Foster''' (March 25, 1889 – January 30, 1972) was a highly decorated officer in the [[United States Navy]] with the rank of [[Vice admiral (United States)|vice admiral]]. A graduate of the [[United States Naval Academy|Naval Academy at Annapolis]], he distinguished himself during the [[United States occupation of Veracruz|Battle of Veracruz]] in April 1914 and received [[Medal of Honor]], the United States of America's highest and most-prestigious personal military decoration.<ref name="NYTIMES"/><ref name="Valor awards for Paul F. Foster"/>

During [[World War I]], Foster commanded the submarine [[USS L-2 (SS-41)|''L-2'']] and is credited with the sinking of the German submarine {{SMS|UB-65|sub=y}} in July 1918, for which he received [[Navy Distinguished Service Medal]]. He remained in the Navy following the war and received the [[Navy Cross]] for valor during the explosion of turret gun of light cruiser [[USS Trenton (CL-11)|''Trenton'']] in October 1924. Foster resigned from active duty in 1929, but was recalled to active service during [[World War II]], serving as Assistant Inspector General of the Navy until 1946.<ref name="Valor awards for Paul F. Foster"/>

Foster then served as General Manager for International Activities, [[United States Atomic Energy Commission|Atomic Energy Commission]], until February 1959, when he was appointed by President [[Dwight D. Eisenhower]] as a Permanent U.S. Representative to the [[International Atomic Energy Agency]] in [[Vienna]], [[Austria]].<ref name="NYTIMES"/><ref name="navyde">{{cite web | url = https://www.navysite.de/dd/dd964.htm | access-date = 17 June 2017 | title = USS Paul F. Foster (DD 964) – Vice admiral Paul F. Foster |website=Navysite.de}}</ref>

==Early career==

Paul F. Foster was born on March 25, 1889, in [[Wichita, Kansas]], the son of [[Congregational]] minister Festus Foster and Lillian C. Howe. Due to his father's work with the Congregationalists, he spent his childhood successively in [[Kansas]], [[Utah]], [[Oklahoma]], and [[Idaho]]. Foster graduated from high school and entered the [[University of Idaho]] in [[Moscow, Idaho]], where he spent one year before received an appointment to the [[United States Naval Academy]] at [[Annapolis, Maryland]], nominated by Senator [[Fred Dubois]] of Idaho in summer 1907.<ref name="Lucky Bag"/><ref name="NYTIMES"/><ref name="Naval History and Heritage Command"/><ref name="navyde"/>

While at the Academy, Foster was active as business manager of the [[Lucky Bag]], a Naval Academy [[yearbook]] dedicated to the graduating classes and reached the rank of cadet-commander. While in this rank, he served as commander of the [[Midshipmen]] Battalion.<ref name="Lucky Bag">{{cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/luckybag1911unse|title= Lucky Bag – USNA Class of 1911|publisher=United States Naval Academy|access-date=July 10, 2018}}</ref>

Among his classmates were several future distinguished flag officers, including four-star admirals [[Oscar C. Badger II|Oscar C. Badger]], [[John W. Reeves Jr.]]; vice admirals [[Bernhard H. Bieri]], [[Calvin H. Cobb]], [[Morton Deyo]], [[Robert M. Griffin]], [[Edward Hanson]], [[Howard F. Kingman]], [[Frank J. Lowry]], [[Oliver M. Read]]; rear admirals [[Daniel J. Callaghan]], [[Theodore E. Chandler]], [[Robert Henry English|Robert H. English]], [[George M. Lowry]], and [[Harry L. Merring]].<ref name="Lucky Bag"/>

He graduated as [[Passed Midshipman]] with [[Bachelor of Science]] degree in June 1911 and was attached to the armored cruiser [[USS Washington (ACR-11)|''Washington'']], operating in the [[Caribbean]]. Foster served aboard ''Washington'' until December that year, when he was transferred to the newly commissioned battleship [[USS Utah (BB-31)|''Utah'']], under Captain [[William S. Benson]]. He took part in the patrol cruises with the [[United States Atlantic Fleet|Atlantic Fleet]] and was commissioned an [[Ensign (rank)|ensign]] on July 10, 1911.<ref name="Naval History and Heritage Command"/><ref name="navyde"/>

In early 1914 during the [[Mexican Revolution]], the United States decided to intervene in the fighting. While en route to Mexico on April 16, ''Utah'' was ordered to intercept the German-flagged steamer {{SS|Ypiranga||6}}, which was carrying arms to the Mexican dictator [[Victoriano Huerta]]. ''Ypiranga''{{'}}s arrival in [[Veracruz, Veracruz|Veracruz]] prompted the United States to [[United States occupation of Veracruz|occupy the city]]. Foster at the head of his company led his sailors ashore during the fighting April 21–22, 1914. For distinguished conduct in battle, he was decorated with the [[Medal of Honor]], the United States' highest and most-prestigious decoration.<ref name="Valor awards for Paul F. Foster"/><ref name="NYTIMES"/><ref name="Naval History and Heritage Command"/><ref name="navyde"/>

==World War I==
[[File:NH 103889 Ensign Paul F. Foster, USN.jpg|thumb|left|Foster as an ensign in 1914]]
[[File:NH 49406 Ensign Paul F. Foster, USN.jpg|thumb|right|Foster aboard submarine [[USS G-4 (SS-26)|''G-4'']] in 1915]]
Following his return to the United States in November 1914, Foster was ordered to the [[Naval Submarine Base New London]], [[Connecticut]], for submarine instruction. He completed the instruction in early 1915 and was attached to the submarine [[USS G-4 (SS-26)|''G-4'']], the experimental vessel of Italian design under command of Lieutenant [[Ernest D. McWhorter]]. Foster served as his executive officer and participated in maneuvers with the submarine flotilla off [[Newport, Rhode Island]], and was promoted to [[lieutenant (junior grade)]] on March 7, 1915.<ref name="Naval History and Heritage Command"/><ref name="navyde"/><ref name='Submarine Stories'>{{cite book|last=Stillwell|first=Paul L.|title=Submarine Stories: Recollections from the Diesel Boats|publisher=Naval Institute Press|location=Orlando, Florida|year=2007|isbn=978-1-61251-367-6|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yE4evobe0zwC&q=Admiral+Paul+F.+Foster&pg=PT28|access-date=April 9, 2017}}</ref>

Foster relieved McWhorter as commanding officer of the submarine in February 1916 and led her during the maneuvers with [[United States Atlantic Fleet|Atlantic Fleet]] off [[Nantucket]] and [[Martha's Vineyard]]. He also transported [[Elmer Ambrose Sperry|Elmer A. Sperry]] to try out his [[Gyrocompass|gyroscopic ship stabilizer]], but when the [[United States' entry into World War I|United States entered World War I]] in April 1917, Foster travelled to [[Washington, D.C.]], where he approached his former commanding officer from ''Utah'', now [[Chief of Naval Operations]], Admiral [[William S. Benson]], and requested to be assigned to the war zone in [[Europe]]. But Benson declined to interfere in personnel matters and turned down Foster's request.<ref name="July 1916">{{cite book |date=1 July 1916 |title=Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy and Marine Corps |url=http://archive.org/details/registerofcommis1916wash |location=Washington DC |publisher=Government Printing Office |page=72}}</ref><ref name="July 1917">{{cite book |date=1 July 1917 |title=Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy and Marine Corps |url=http://archive.org/details/registerofcommis1917wash |location=Washington DC |publisher=Government Printing Office |page=70}}</ref><ref name="navyde"/><ref name='Submarine Stories'/>

He subsequently return to command of the submarine [[USS G-4 (SS-26)|''G-4'']] and conducted further experiments with professors from [[Cornell University]]. During his return from one experiment, Foster docked his submarine so skillfully, that he impressed Captain [[Thomas C. Hart]], chief of staff to the commander, [[COMSUBLANT|Submarine Force, Atlantic Fleet]], and he requested Foster to be assigned to his command.<ref name="Naval History and Heritage Command"/><ref name="navyde"/><ref name='Submarine Stories'/>

Foster transferred to his flagship, the submarine tender [[USS Bushnell (AS-2)|''Bushnell'']] and was promoted to the temporary rank of [[Lieutenant (navy)|lieutenant]] on July 1, 1917. He served first as ship's navigator under Commander [[Wilhelm L. Friedell]] and took part in the deployment of submarines to the [[Azores]] in early autumn 1917. Foster was later appointed an aide to Captain Hart and participated in the patrols in Atlantic, before he was appointed commanding officer of the submarine [[USS L-2 (SS-41)|''L-2'']] in March 1918.<ref name="Naval History and Heritage Command"/><ref name="navyde"/><ref name='Submarine Stories'/>

He took part in patrols to [[Bishop Rock Lighthouse]] off the [[England]] coast and [[Bantry Bay]], [[Ireland]], and later received orders for patrol the [[Bay of Biscay]], north of [[Bordeaux]]. During the patrol in mid-July 1918, Foster's submarine had one of her engines damaged and was ordered back to the submarine base at Bantry Bay. On her return, Foster's crew spotted German {{SMS|UB-65|sub=y}} near [[Fastnet Rock]], which Foster first took to be a buoy on the horizon. Moving closer, he found that it was actually a German submarine, only later to be identified as ''UB-65''. It was listing heavily on the water's surface, seemingly disabled. Forster guided his sub around it, hoping to line up a torpedo shot. But before he could do so, the crippled vessel was torn apart by a huge explosion. ''UB-65'' rose up on its bows and sank. There were no survivors and no bodies were ever recovered.<ref name="Valor awards for Paul F. Foster"/><ref name="Naval History and Heritage Command"/><ref name="navsource">{{cite web | url = http://www.navsource.net/archives/08/08041.htm | access-date = June 19, 2018 | title = USS L-2 (SS-41) – Commanding Officers |website=NavSource}}</ref><ref name="navyde"/><ref name='Submarine Stories'/>

Foster was subsequently decorated with the [[Navy Distinguished Service Medal]] for his part in the sinking of the enemy submarine. It was one of three enemy submarines officially listed as sunk by the U.S. Navy. He was also promoted to the temporary rank of [[Lieutenant commander (United States)|lieutenant commander]] on July 1, 1918.<ref name="July 1918">{{cite book |date=1 July 1918 |title=Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy and Marine Corps |url=http://archive.org/details/registerofcommis1918wash |location=Washington DC |publisher=Government Printing Office |page=66}}</ref><ref name="Naval History and Heritage Command"/><ref name="navyde"/><ref name='Submarine Stories'/>

==Interwar period==

Following the [[Armistice of 11 November 1918|Armistice]], Foster was transferred to the staff of Commander, Division 2, Submarine Force, [[United States Atlantic Fleet|Atlantic Fleet]], and served under [[Harold Medberry Bemis|Harold M. Bemis]] until late 1920, when he joined the protected cruiser [[USS San Francisco (C-5)|''San Francisco'']], under Captain [[Henry E. Lackey]]. He participated in the patrols in west Atlantic and the Caribbean and was transferred to the Navy Recruiting Bureau in [[New York City]] in July 1921.<ref name="July 1919">{{cite book |date=1 July 1919 |title=Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy and Marine Corps |url=http://archive.org/details/registerofcommis1919wash |location=Washington DC |publisher=Government Printing Office |page=68}}</ref>

In April 1924, Foster was ordered to the [[Philadelphia Navy Yard]] for duty in connection with the fitting out of the light cruiser [[USS Trenton (CL-11)|''Trenton'']] and, upon her commissioning, he was appointed the ship's engineering officer under Captain [[Edward C. Kalbfus]]. Foster took part in the shakedown cruise to the [[Mediterranean Sea]] and [[Port Said]], [[Egypt]]; [[Aden]], Arabia; and [[Bushehr]], [[Persia]], where the remains of the assassinated Vice Consul [[Robert Whitney Imbrie|Robert Imbrie]] were taken aboard.<ref name="July 1923">{{cite book |date=1 July 1923 |title=Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy and Marine Corps |url=http://archive.org/details/registerofcommis1923wash |location=Washington DC |publisher=Government Printing Office |pages=50–51}}</ref><ref name="July 1924">{{cite book |date=1 July 1924 |title=Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy and Marine Corps |url=http://archive.org/details/registerofcommis1924wash |location=Washington DC |publisher=Government Printing Office |pages=58–59}}</ref>

By the end of October 1924, ''Trenton'' was conducting gunnery drills off the [[Virginia Capes]] near [[Norfolk, Virginia|Norfolk]], but powder bags in her forward turret exploded, killing or injuring every member of the gun crew. Noting the difficulties of rescuing the men in the turret through the access door and extinguishing the fire from the forecastle, and with total disregard for his own safety, Foster entered the turret from the upper handling rooms, took the fire hose which was passed to him from without and extinguished the fire in the turret and on the clothing of the members of the crew. For this act of valor, he was decorated with the [[Navy Cross]].<ref name="Valor awards for Paul F. Foster"/><ref name="July 1925">{{cite book |date=1 July 1925 |title=Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy and Marine Corps |url=http://archive.org/details/registerofcommis1925wash |location=Washington DC |publisher=Government Printing Office |page=56}}</ref><ref name="Naval History and Heritage Command"/><ref name="navyde"/>

''Trenton'' was repaired shortly thereafter and returned to patrols along the East Coast of the United States. She was later attached to the [[Scouting Fleet]] off [[Guantánamo Bay]], [[Cuba]], and took part in gunnery exercises off the [[Panama Canal Zone]]. Foster was detached in July 1927 and ordered back to [[New York City]], where he was attached to the headquarters of [[Third Naval District]], under Rear Admiral [[Charles P. Plunkett]].<ref name="July 1926">{{cite book |date=1 July 1926 |title=Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy and Marine Corps |url=http://archive.org/details/registerofcommis1926wash |location=Washington DC |publisher=Government Printing Office |page=56}}</ref>

At the beginning of [[Great Depression]], Foster resigned from active duty at his own request in March 1929 and was active in various civilian organizations, some directly involved with U.S. military functions. In 1941, Foster surveyed resources of the [[Galapagos Islands]] for the Pacific Development Company. He remained a member of the [[United States Naval Reserve]] and received the [[Naval Reserve Medal]] for 10 years of service with the reserves.

==World War II==

Following the Japanese [[attack on Pearl Harbor]] and the United States entry into World War II, Foster was recalled to active duty with the rank of [[Commander (United States)|commander]] in the [[United States Naval Reserve|Naval Reserve]] and was tasked directly by President [[Franklin D. Roosevelt]] to conduct special naval inspections. One of his first mission was to conduct an investigation in the [[Panama Canal Zone]] following the series of complaints from the [[United States Army|Army]]'s Lieutenant General [[Daniel Van Voorhis]], commander of [[Caribbean Defense Command]] on Army-Navy cooperation.<ref name="navyde"/>

Foster arrived to [[Balboa, Panama|Balboa]] and after few weeks, he concluded that Rear Admiral [[Frank H. Sadler]], commandant of the [[15th Naval District|Fifteenth Naval District]], was the main reason of the lack of effective cooperation with the Army. Foster recommended Sadler be relieved of command and be succeeded by some able and younger officer who would improve the relations with the Army.

Upon his return stateside, Foster was promoted to [[Captain (United States O-6)|captain]] and was assigned to the Logistics Plans Division of the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations. He was later transferred to the recently created [[Naval Inspector General|Office of General Inspector of the Navy]], under Admiral [[Charles P. Snyder (admiral)|Charles P. Snyder]]. He was later promoted to [[Rear admiral (United States)|rear admiral]] and appointed Assistant Naval Inspector General in August 1943.<ref name="NYTIMES"/><ref name="Naval History and Heritage Command"/>

Foster then conducted inspections and investigations of [[United States naval districts|naval districts]], [[Sea Frontier]]s, Naval Air Training Commands, and shore-based activities in the United States, as well in Pacific or Atlantic areas,{{clarify|date=February 2025|reason=What does "as well in Pacific or Atlantic areas" mean?}} until September 1945 and received [[Legion of Merit]] and [[Navy Commendation Medal]] for his service during the War. He was transferred to the inactive list of the Navy in October 1946 and was advanced to the rank of [[Vice admiral (United States)|vice admiral]] on the retired list for having been specially commended in combat.<ref name="Valor awards for Paul F. Foster"/><ref name="Naval History and Heritage Command"/>

==Postwar career==
[[File:NH 103894 U.S. Delegates to the Fourth General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency.jpg|thumb|right|Foster (center) as U.S. Representative to the [[International Atomic Energy Agency]] in Vienna, Austria, c. 1960. Others are [[John Stephens Graham]] (left) and [[John A. McCone]].]]
[[File:Medal of Honor recipient gravestone in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia in the 2020s - 95.jpg|thumb|Grave at Arlington National Cemetery]]
Following his second retirement from the Navy, Foster became vice president of Mandel Brothers, Inc., a department store company in [[Chicago]], [[Illinois]], and served in this capacity until late 1950. He then worked for the [[International Bank for Reconstruction and Development]] in [[Washington, D.C.]], until June 1954, when was appointed special assistant to the general manager for international activities, [[United States Atomic Energy Commission|Atomic Energy Commission]] (AEC), which was established to foster and control the peacetime development of atomic science and technology.<ref name="NYTIMES"/><ref name="NYTIMES2">{{cite news | url = https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1946/10/10/88381398.html?pageNumber=10 |url-access=subscription| access-date = June 19, 2018 | title = Admiral Foster Joins Mandel|date=October 10, 1946| page= 10 |newspaper=The New York Times}}</ref>

Foster is promoted to acting general manager of the commission in July 1957 and held that assignment until June of the following year. He then resumed his job as special assistant to the general manager and remained in that capacity until February 1959. For his service with the Atomic Energy Commission, he was decorated with the AEC Distinguished Service Award.<ref name="NYTIMES"/><ref name="NYTIMES3">{{cite news | url = https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1959/05/27/80580902.html?pageNumber=16 |url-access=subscription| access-date = June 19, 2018 | title = Foster in World Atom Post|date= May 27, 1959| page= 16 |newspaper=The New York Times}}</ref><ref name="navyde"/>

One month later, President [[Dwight D. Eisenhower]] appointed Foster Permanent U.S. Representative to the [[International Atomic Energy Agency]], with headquarters in [[Vienna]], [[Austria]]. In this capacity he participated in Fourth General Conference in Vienna in the early 1960s and had the opportunity to meet [[Pope John XXIII]].<ref name="NYTIMES"/>

==Retirement and death==

Foster retired in April 1961 and settled in [[Virginia Beach, Virginia]], where he died at his home on January 30, 1972, aged 82. He was buried at [[Arlington National Cemetery]], [[Virginia]], and his wife, Isabelle De La Vicendiere Lowe (1892–1981) is buried beside him.<ref>[https://ancexplorer.army.mil/publicwmv/#/arlington-national/search/results/1/CgZmb3N0ZXISBHBhdWwaAWY-/ Burial Detail: Poster, Paul F] – ANC Explorer</ref> They had one son, Paul.

The [[Spruance-class destroyer]] {{USS|Paul F. Foster}} was named in his honor in 1976.<ref name="NYTIMES">{{cite news | url = https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1972/01/31/79463910.html?pageNumber=36 |url-access=subscription| access-date = June 19, 2018 | title = Adm. Paul F. Foster, 83, Dead – U.S. Envoy to Atomic Sessions| date=January 31, 1972| page= 36 |newspaper=The New York Times}}</ref><ref name="Naval History and Heritage Command">{{cite web | url = https://www.history.navy.mil/research/histories/ship-histories/danfs/p/paul-f-foster-dd-964.html | access-date = 28 January 2018 | title = USS Paul F. Foster (DD-964) |website=Naval History and Heritage Command}}</ref>

==Decorations==

Here is the ribbon bar of Vice Admiral Paul F. Foster:<ref name="Valor awards for Paul F. Foster">{{cite web | url = https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/2555#21870 | access-date = 17 June 2017 | title = Valor awards for Paul F. Foster |website=Military Times}}</ref>

{| style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"
|colspan="4"|[[File:Submarine Officer badge.jpg|256px]]
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Medal of Honor ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Navy Cross ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Navy Distinguished Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Legion of Merit ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Mexican Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=1|type=service-star|ribbon=World War I Victory Medal ribbon.svg|width=106|alt=}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=American Campaign Medal ribbon.svg|width=106|alt=}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal ribbon.svg|width=106|alt=}}
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign ribbon.svg|width=106|alt=}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=World War II Victory Medal ribbon.svg|width=106|alt=}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=U.S. Naval Reserve Medal ribbon.svg|width=106|alt=}}
|-
|}
{| class="wikitable" style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"
|-
|colspan="14"|[[Submarine Warfare insignia]]
|-
!1st Row
|colspan="4"|[[Medal of Honor]]
|colspan="4"|[[Navy Cross]]
|colspan="4"|[[Navy Distinguished Service Medal]]
|-
!2nd Row
|colspan="4"|[[Legion of Merit]]
|colspan="4"|[[Navy Commendation Medal]]
|colspan="4"|[[Mexican Service Medal]]
|-
!3rd Row
|colspan="4"|[[World War I Victory Medal (United States)|World War I Victory Medal]] with Submarine Clasp
|colspan="4"|[[American Campaign Medal]]
|colspan="4"|[[Asiatic–Pacific Campaign Medal]]
|-
!4th Row
|colspan="4"|[[European–African–Middle Eastern Campaign Medal|European–African–Middle Eastern Campaign Medal]]
|colspan="4"|[[World War II Victory Medal (United States)|World War II Victory Medal]]
|colspan="4"|[[Naval Reserve Medal]]
|-
|}

===Medal of Honor citation===
Rank and organization: Ensign Organization: U.S. Navy Born: Wichita, Kans. Entered service at: Kansas Place/Date: Vera Cruz, Mexico, 21 and 22 April 1914 Date of issue: 12/04/1915

'''Citation:'''

<blockquote>For distinguished conduct in battle, engagements of Vera Cruz, 21 and 22 April 1914. In both days' fighting at the head of his company, Ens. Foster was eminent and conspicuous in his conduct, leading his men with skill and courage.<ref name="Valor awards for Paul F. Foster"/></blockquote>

==See also==
{{Portal|Biography}}
* [[List of Medal of Honor recipients (Veracruz)]]
* [[List of United States Naval Academy alumni (Medal of Honor)]]

==References==
:{{ACMH}}
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Cite web |access-date=October 4, 2010 |url=https://homeofheroes.com/heroes-stories/mexican-american-war/paul-frederick-foster/ |title=Paul Frederick Foster |website=Home of Heroes}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Foster, Paul Frederick}}
[[Category:1889 births]]
[[Category:1972 deaths]]
[[Category:Military personnel from Wichita, Kansas]]
[[Category:United States Navy Medal of Honor recipients]]
[[Category:United States Naval Academy alumni]]
[[Category:United States submarine commanders]]
[[Category:United States Navy vice admirals]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Navy Cross (United States)]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Navy Distinguished Service Medal]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Legion of Merit]]
[[Category:Battle of Veracruz (1914) recipients of the Medal of Honor]]
[[Category:Burials at Arlington National Cemetery]]
[[Category:United States Navy personnel of World War I]]
[[Category:United States Navy personnel of World War II]]

Paul Frederick Foster - Revision history

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