Lieutenant General Robert Foley Scholarship of Honor

United States Army Lieutenant General Robert Foley graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1963. He joined the infantry and went through Airborne and Ranger schools. By 1966, he was a twenty-five-year-old captain and company commander in the 27th Infantry in Vietnam. He earned the Medal of Honor for his actions in the Vietnam War on November 5, 1966. President Lyndon Johnson awarded it to General Foley on May 1, 1968.

He remained in the Army until 2000, attaining the rank of Lieutenant General. He ended his thirty-seven-year military career as the commander of the Fifth Army, then became president of Marion Military Institute in Alabama, the nation’s oldest military preparatory school and junior college. General Foley continued to serve U.S. Army soldiers and their families as director of Army Emergency Relief, a private nonprofit organization with headquarters in Washington, D.C. until his recent retirement.

Photo of General Foley by Nick DelCalzo

Recipients

2023

Cadet Justin Free

“During the first semester of my yearling year I had long periods of exhaustions and I finally went to my doctor to get a full examination. Just a few days before Christmas I found out I had Stage 4 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and needed to begin treatment immediately.

Unfortunately, that would mean that I would have to step away from the Academy for an unknown amount of time and began chemotherapy just after the new year. As tough as this news was for me, it was even more difficult for my family and close friends. Without even knowing it, I had become the bedrock and strength of my family even as I underwent my treatment and worked through my situation as courageously as I possibly could.

After finishing chemotherapy, I then needed to go through a strenuous radiation therapy regiment which kept me from returning to West Point for another semester. During my second semester away, I felt much healthier and began working out significantly more to ensure I would be in the best shape possible when I returned to West Point. I finished my radiation treatment the day before I had to return to West Point.”

 While facing the possibility of death and going through some of the harshest medical treatments imaginable, Justin remained dedicated to USMA and focused on his goal of graduating and commissioning. Under conditions so adverse many would have expected Justin to take time off, but Justin insisted on taking as many classes as he could while undergoing treatment. His resilience and dedication is an inspirational example for all to aspire.

2022

Cadet Ily Park received the Scholarship of Honor at West Point during a special presentation from LTG Robert Foley

CDT Park arrived at West Point after a long and unusual journey. Born in El Paso, Texas, CDT Park quickly moved to South America and spent his entire adolescence there. Spending fourteen years in Chile and then the next four years in Venezuela, CDT Park had to navigate a life riddled with gang violence and drug wars. He left Venezuela behind for a better life in the United States and attended the University of Illinois.

After arriving, CDT Park struggled due to a lack of family and support. Fortunately, a mentor at the university recommended that he enlist in the Army. So, after 4 months in the USA, CDT Park was off to basic training. He thrived as a Soldier, having assignments attached to the 3rd Special Forces Group as a 25Bravo. It was at this point CDT Park’s Battalion Commander recommended an appointment to West Point. 

CDT Park arrived with little knowledge of the Academy, not having seen his family in 3 years, but a thirst for performance. Once the COVID outbreak began, everyone was sent to their homes. The only problem was CDT Park had no home to go to. He was thrust back into a world that lacked structure, support, and was filled with uncertainty; a world he fought so hard to leave. He had some extended family in Los Angeles and Miami, but ultimately the homesickness and being kicked out of multiple homes rendered CDT Park without the ability to continue his West Point studies. 

Everything he had worked for, coming to America and setting up this life for himself was threatened by a complete lack of support structure and diminishing morale. This was compounded with a brutal elbow and shoulder injury that severely hindered his ability to perform physically.  CDT Park found it in himself to keep going, and while he always had the support of his classmates, he persevered through personal hardships compounded by changing external factors.

2021

Cadet Eston T. Smith

During his summer leadership detail in 2019, CDT Smith received a shocking phone call from his older sister that genuinely impacted him. She explained that she was drugged at a bar and when she awoke, she was sexually assaulted by multiple men. Her history of alcohol abuse and time in and out of rehabilitation centers made their entire family shut her out. This resulted in CDT Smith being her only form of support. CDT Smith struggled to decide whether to go home and support his sister and family or continue to meet the demands of the Academy and try to help from here. This decision was the hardest of his life. CDT Smith decided to push forward at the Academy while supporting and improving the family’s situation back home and supporting his sister through her tragic experience as best as he could from here.

Several weeks later, his sister was a passenger in a car accident and had been killed. With the shock of losing his sister, CDT Smith realized that he needed to be his family’s leader to get through this tragedy. The grief from his sister’s attack that occurred weeks before had not healed. His family was now in mourning, and his nephew was now an orphan. CDT Smith has done his best to lead his family through this crisis while continuing his West Point journey. Since his family crisis, he has committed to help financially support his nephew, which will continue after commissioning. CDT Smith held his family together during the most challenging year of his life while continuing to excel as a Cadet.

2020

Cadet Zachary Potter

Cadet Zachary Potter has excelled as a Cadet in all three developmental areas while balancing life as a punter for the Army Football team, and being in tragic car accident taking the life of a fellow cadet.   

In 2018, during a football workout, he herniated his L4/L5 disks in his lower back. Despite the excruciating pain in his legs which made it difficult to walk, sleep, and sometimes talk, Cadet Potter completed the football season. In January 2019, Zach had surgery to fix his injuries and allow him to continue playing football while also pursuing a future military career.

Cadet Potter was involved in the rollover accident that took the life of Cadet Chris “CJ” Morgan during CLDT in CST 20-0. CJ was sitting right next to Zach in the vehicle during the convoy. Zach was pinned underneath the overturned vehicle and with the help of another one of his best friends and teammates, Cadet Ryan Parker, he was pulled out of the wreckage. Zach sustained injuries to his knee which did not allow him to complete CLDT. Over the next few months, Zach received counseling and assistance from multiple friends, mentors, and professionals on his mental state while he battled with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder from the accident.

To add to these setbacks, Cadet Potter was unable to branch aviation due to requiring heart surgery in January 2020 to fix a rare heart condition. Despite all his obstacles and an unfortunate series of events, Cadet Potter has focused on growing to become a more well-rounded and passionate leader. His experiences have allowed him to learn how to be resilient and overcome setbacks as a leader.

2019

Cadet Camm Johnson

In June 2017, Cadet Johnson's mother, Ms. Lisa Johnson, was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. While facing the impending loss of a parent is difficult enough, Cadet Johnson's situation was uniquely challenging since his father passed away in 2001, leaving only him and his sister available to care for their mother. Camm took advantage of every opportunity available to travel home and provide support while balancing his own responsibilities as a Cadet. Across many visits home, Camm was able to care for his mother during critical surgeries and help manage important medical and household related requirements.

The following Fall, Ms. Johnson's conditioned worsened as the cancer failed to respond to various treatment methods. She was given a life expectancy of less than six months, and Camm faced the reality that his mother would likely not live long enough to see him graduate in May 2019. Camm decided that supporting his mother during the final months of her life was more important than remaining at West Point to finish his final semester and graduate on time with his peers, so he requested a leave of absence. Ms. Johnson passed away on the morning of 26 January 2019 while under the care of Camm and family.

Cadet Johnson's decision to postpone his graduation and commissioning to help care for his mother demonstrates a high degree of selflessness and commitment. He graduated in December 2019.

2018

Cadet Megan Bryn is pictured here with LTC David Jones, her parents and Brian LaViolette Foundation supporters, Janet and Charlie Lieb.

At the conclusion of her junior year and her second major knee injury, Cadet Bryn's surgeon said she would need two surgeries. She faced the reality that she would never play another game on the Army Volleyball team and that she would not be able to graduate in May with her class because she would be unable to attend Cadet Leader Development Training during her First Class Summer. She handled this reality with dignity and poise. She took up the role of Operations Sergeant Major for Cadet Basic Training II and excelled by planning and synchronizing many operations that helped the team succeed in high visibility events. She was able to have a significant impact among the Corps of Cadets from an indirect leadership position and did it with a positive attitude.

Cadet Bryn, although is unable to graduate with her class in May, has never lowered her motivation, morale, or commitment to the team. When questioned how she felt about missing out on the big May graduation ceremony she responded by saying "Sir, I get to graduate from West Point, it doesn't matter to me what month it's in." Upon graduation, she will represent the United States Army and the United States Military Academy as a Schwarzman Scholar in Beijing, China.

2017

Cadet Aaron Lin is pictured here with Col. David Jones.

In 2015, CDT Lin's best friend and fellow H1 Roothawg, CDT Nicholas Wright committed suicide. CDT Lin was devastated that his battle buddy had decided to end his life and that he did not recognize warning signs or take action to intervene. CDT Lin took this event as a chance to positively affect many people through his leadership and perseverance. He demonstrated his leadership and perseverance by spearheading the effort to bring H1 out of its devastatingly low morale and extreme sadness. Despite being a naturally shy person, Aaron knew he needed to summon the personal courage to assume the responsibility of bringing H1 out of its slump. He did this by rallying his classmates and creating a memorial within the company area to honor CDT Wright. In doing so, CDT Lin unified the company and significantly contributed to the healing. He did this despite being the most devastated member of the company.

He brought awareness to the Corps by encouraging participation and sharing experiences at several suicide prevention events in and around West Point. His efforts have helped shift the culture among West Point cadets that asking for help is a bad thing. Not only has he increased awareness about suicide prevention among many depressed cadets, but he has spread availability of resources and experiences for all cadets that are in a position to influence those that need help in order to prevent another episode similar to CDT Wright's.

2016

Cadet Stephanie "Brooke" Hepfer is pictured here with LTG Foley.  

“In September of my Yearling year at West Point, I sustained a traumatic knee injury in a soccer game.  This resulted in a dislocated knee and torn ACL, MCL, LCL, PCL, PLC comer, and medial meniscus. I was told I would never run again and would most likely experience trouble walking for the rest of my life. Although disheartening, I promised myself that I would do whatever it took to give myself a chance at full recovery. I decided in my hospital bed that day that I would not let this injury hold me back from accomplishing my goals in life, and I would continue a path towards my dream job of being an Army Officer. I endured four surgeries

Throughout the two following years. This looked like over a hundred staples in my knee, crutches for months at a time, blood thinning shots in between classes, and pain killers for several months that left me distracted and drowsy. I would slightly recover after one surgery just to undergo another.

After my four surgeries, I was able to walk without crutches and after hundreds of hours of physical therapy and practice, I played in the majority of the soccer games, regaining my position as a starting midfielder. I consider this injury to be one of the most tragic but most developmental events in my life.

2015

Cadet Leora Reyhan is pictured here with Col Dave Jones of USMA.  

In her teenage years, Leora found out her father was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.  With the support of her family, Leora’s father battled the disease for years going in and out of the hospital.  Once Cadet Reyhan left for West Point, she continued to show support for her father by traveling home whenever she could to be with her family never knowing if each visit would be the last with her father.  After several years bouncing back from his battle with pancreatic cancer, Cadet Reyhan’s father unexpectedly passed away before Thanksgiving 2015 due to a suspected blood clot.  Despite his ongoing fight with cancer, the loss was sudden, unexpected, and devastating for Leora and her family.  Despite the loss, she still managed to perform and earned an APST of 3.524 and MPST of 4.0 for the semester.  Leora has indeed demonstrated a maturity and drive at West Point uncommon to most if not all cadets.  She truly reflects West Point’s Ideals of “Duty, Honor, Country.”

2014

Cadet Charles Whitaker enlisted into the United States Army.

Cadet Whitaker's outstanding Cadet Career has not been without adversity. In November 2023, Charles lost his father to cancer. His father had been sick for over a year, only adding to the demands and constant worry on Charles. Despite the extreme burden and emotional stress placed upon Charles, he continued to push through, excelling in all of his endeavors. When Charles informed his executive officer of the situation, his first thoughts were not about what he needed or desired. Charles communicated that his main concern was the well-being, health, and emotional state of his mother and sister in San Diego, California. Charles was able to provide immediate in person care and long-distance support to his family during this hardship, while still continuing to focus on Cadet obligations and Term End Exams. Humble and modest, Charles has never made an excuse for any shortcomings, even when faced with an extremely difficult situation. The resiliency of this young man and leader has been absolutely amazing and truly admirable. He is the example for other Cadets to follow.

2013

Cadet Larraine Saavedra is pictured here with LTG Foley.

Cadet Saavedra has face significant family hardships.  Her brother Carlos was diagnosed with a malignant meduloblastoma brain tumor at the age of six and had cancer treatment thousands of miles away for two years.  Decades later, he still has health problems.  Cadet Saavedra’s younger sister was diagnosed with a liver disease called type-two autoimmune hepatitis years later.

 Then in 2012, during her time in West Point, her family’s home was destroyed in Hurricane Sandy. She spent a great deal of time supporting her family in their  time of need. Although she struggled initially, she managed to learn how to balance the competing demands of family and Academy requirements and went on to demonstrate continuous improvement after her plebe year. Her career at the United States Military Academy is indicative of a cadet with a great propensity to lead, serve and excel.

2012

Prior to West Point, Cadet Joshua Stephens had hardships not common to many of his peers. As a son of a career Special Forces Soldier, Josh grew up with a father who was always deployed. Back at home Josh grew up, for a short while, with an abusive mother suffering from Bi-Polar disorder. Once she had left Josh at the age of seven he was left to handle the deployments of his father, which brought him own many a time carrying a new purple heart and scars to show for it. Never again would Josh hear from his mother. Fast-forwarding to high school, Joshua had grown close with the new addition to his family, his 8 year old sister and step mom he considered to be his true mom. 

While attempting to achieve acceptance into West Point Joshua’ step mom left on a road trip with his sister, never to return. She had left, unannounced, leaving Joshua’s sister wellbeing his sole concern. Upon entering West Point for R-Day, beginning a new chapter to his life, Cadet Stephens had constantly had an uphill battle to maintain a strong role in his sister’s life. Cadet Stephens beginning his Yearling year was denied all contact with his sister and went through his last three years, enduring that void. Only to make West Point an even more intricate crucible in Cadet Stephens’s life, his Firstie year he was faced with attempted suicides in his family that left his sister in jeopardy. On top of developing himself into an Officer in the Army and leader of character, he was battling for the custody of his sister to be placed in the hands of a good family, where she would have the opportunity to grow up in a safe and nurturing home.

Josh never lost focus on his ultimate goal in life: to graduate West Point and become a high quality commissioned Officer.

2011

Cadet Brian McBee received the 4th Annual Robert Foley Scholarship of Honor at West Point. Brian is pictured here with Col. Dave Jones of West Point.

Not long after reporting for Cadet Basic Training at West Point, McBee began to feel sick and started losing weight.  He did not know what was wrong with him and ignored it as best as he could, but his symptoms continued.  Finally, during Christmas of his plebe year McBee visited a doctor and received the news- he had Crohn’s Disease.  This was devastating news that put his lifelong dream of graduating from West Point and serving his country in uniform in jeopardy.  West Point and Army service meant too much to him to give up, so he kept going.  For the next two years, McBee carried on and tried to manage his condition the best he could on his own. There were times when he was very ill as doctors tried to find a medicine that worked for him, though most of his peers thought McBee was doing okay.  McBee was grateful for every day that he had at the Academy, and his positive attitude never wavered.   

2010

Cadet Todd Lambka is pictured here with Col. Dave Jones who was key in the establishment of this award and Major Katherine Winans. Sadly, Todd was killed in the War on Terror in 2012.

During his first semester at West Point, CDT Lambka unexpectedly lost his mother.  Her death came just two weeks after her visit to the USMA for Plebe Parent Weekend.  It was an event that no young person should have to endure.  Just three months later and while still working through his grief, his father suffered from a stroke.  Five months later, his grandfather passed away, just ten months after also losing his grandmother while he was in Cadet Basic Training.  Plebe year at the USMA is exceptionally challenging as young adults learn how to meet the many difficult demands placed on them.  Instead of succumbing to the immense amount of stress imposed by the combination of an already tough Plebe year and the series of incredibly tragic events, CDT Lambka recognized that West Point provided a productive outlet.  He chose to focus his attention on academics, physical fitness and military duties.  As life started its return to some normalcy, CDT Lambka was again faced with adversity early in his Cow year while his father was incarcerated for a year.  This was especially difficult for CDT Lambka because he and his father are very close.  CDT Lambka made the best of the situation, visiting his father when breaks from West Point permitted.  With the help of his family and fellow cadets, CDT Lambka persevered through these many tribulations, and he believes, has become a better leader because of them.  

While many would look at these events and feel sorrow for one who had endured them, CDT Lambka understands them as learning experiences and opportunities for personal and professional growth. 

 2009

Cadet Nethaj Ranaweera, Sri Lanka Army is pictured here with General Foley at the award ceremony in May 2009.

Cadet Ranaweera has overcome numerous obstacles while attending the United States Military Academy. Cadet Ranaweera learned English as a second language, left his country while in the midst of an active civil war, and has spent long periods of time without being able to return to his home country of Sri Lanka.

While attending USMA "Rani" has excelled across the three pillars and epitomized the kind of ethical and moral conduct to which all cadets aspire. His humility, dedication to the company, and incredible motivation have inspired the Crusaders of Cl and I'' Battalion, I" Regiment. His professional staff work on behalf of the Battalion Sandhurst teams was impressive and reflected the tremendous drive he displays. He has excelled in his past administration of the company PMEE program and in virtually every duty he has undertaken.

2008

Cadet David Kennedy, United States Army

Photo left to right: Doug LaViolette, David Kennedy, David's Mom-Chris, brother-Geoff, and Dad-Edwin.

In the summer of 2005 David was diagnosed with Myasthenia Gravis (MG).  This disease affects the neurological system and would leave Cadet Kennedy out of breath and fatigued.  Cadet Kennedy was granted a Medical Leave of Absence (MLOA) for one year in order to have surgery for the disease and put it into remission.  This would allow David to apply for a waiver to graduate from the Academy and be commissioned into the Army.  While on his MLOA David audited CGSC courses, attended combat handgun courses, completed Rosetta Stone courses and maintained his high level of physical fitness all to ensure he would return to West Point in the best mental and physical shape possible. 

David returned to USMA in January 2007 and immediately went to work proving that he could graduate and be commissioned.  His hard work and effort paid off by being selected for a Key Summer Leader position and served as the MMT XO.  For the fall semester of his Firstie year, Cadet Kennedy was selected to be the BDE DEP S3 where he earned A’s from his rater and TAC.  David is now the company PDO and has made it his mission to raise the company APFT score.  Cadet Kennedy has maintained his own level of physical fitness by scoring a 291 on the Firstie Fall APFT. 

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