George Everett Foster was born at Cayey, Puerto Rico, on 4 March 1928, the son of then Lieutenant and Mrs. Roy M. Foster. Practically all of his boyhood was spent at Army stations, where he was always one of the gang, making new friends that he never forgot. From the time that he was old enough to walk, when his mother or father would have to rescue him from out in front of the 20th Infantry Band, at marching practice, where he was beating on a cooking pan with a spoon, the environment and atmosphere of Army life was ever complete to him.

Throughout his elementary school days and into high school, George was an outstanding student. He was quick to grasp and keen at organizing his thoughts, enabling him to make the honor roll of his Class, except for his last two years of high School, at Bethesda-Chevy Chase, MD, where he seemed to lose interest. However, at Chevy Chase, Georgie made his closest and lasting friendships, with boys who later remained as close to him as his classmates at West Point.

From the time Georgie was old enough to know of West Point, he had the desire to be a West Pointer. When a principal appointment to Annapolis or 2nd alternate appointment to West Point was tendered him, his decision was West Point. Upon graduation from high school, Georgie entered Sullivan’s Preparatory School, and under Sully he really found himself. He stood very high on the Presidential List, and through West Point, no one meant more to George than Sully. Georgie, in his devoted love for West Point, and toward his brother, Bob, hoped that Bob would be able to prepare under Sully and make the Point. (With Bob’s entering in the Class of '58, through Congressman Herlong of Florida, after the briefest of preparation under Sully, it seemed a miracle through earnest prayers.) Georgie was able to take West Point in stride and beyond doubt lived it as the four greatest years of his life, graduating with a very fine record. His Class standing enabled him his choice of branch, and with his roommate, Larry Birk, who stood very high in the Class, they chose the Cavalry (Armor).

Graduation leave was heavily occupied by classmates' weddings and helping his mother and Bob to settle near Washington, DC, after their sailing orders to Japan had been canceled. He also visited at San Antonio with his roommate, Falkner Heard, and Falkner’s parents, Colonel and Mrs. Falkner Heard. During his cadet life, Georgie really felt that his second home was with Colonel and Mrs. Heard.

George's original assignment orders upon graduation were to Europe, but, with his father being stationed in Japan, his orders were changed to the Far East. This had pleased him, as he planned to accompany his mother and Bob to the West Coast and then hoped to sail concurrently with them to Japan, stopping over to visit with his other roommate, Larry Birk, and Larry's parents at Klamath Falls, OR. With the war breaking in Korea, the planned voyage to Japan was canceled, and George, with classmates, was flown from Camp Stoneman via Alaska into Japan.

Upon reaching Japan, George was assigned to the 7th Division, then in the embarking phase for the Inchon Landing. At this time he was assigned to Company C, 32nd Infantry Regiment. Although he regretted having to replace the sabers with crossed rifles, he felt that basically he was better qualified for combat duty in the Infantry than with Armor.

Letters to his parents from officers of his unit—from his Regimental Commander, Company Commander and others—said that Georgie performed remarkably as a leader in combat, that he represented the true ideals and traditions of West Point, and that his father and mother could be proud to call him "Son." At the battle of Seoul, he was given a platoon and, after one month of duty, was recommended for promotion by his Company Commander. However, the promotion was held up in accordance with the policy requiring completion of six months' commissioned service before the promotion could be made. Georgie's last letter to his father, written on the 28th of November 1950, at the Choniin (Chosin) Reservoir, seemed to reveal him in high spirits, and he said was counting the days until he could be back in Japan with his mother, father and Bob.

Other than the report of his M.I.A. status as of 2 December 1950, no information has been found, except that he had been wounded in an arm on 1 December and on 2 December had led his platoon down a steep cliff into a valley or canyon to break a road block. The Department of the Army notified his parents of his presumed death as of 31 December 1953.

Medals, Awards & Badges

Purple Heart
National Defense Service Medal
Korean Service Medal
United Nations Service Medal
Republic of Korea War Service Medal
Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation
Combat Infantryman Badge

Burial

Second Lieutenant George Everett Foster is buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA.

Some information in this bio was derived from Cullum Number 17446, USMA.