Monday, November 12, 2001 – Penn Hills, Pennsylvania – U.S. Representative Mike Doyle (PA-18) presented Jack Foley, a local veteran from Penn Hills, with a plaque honoring his service in World War II, as a member of Easy Company, 506th Regiment, 101st Airborne.

“As Mr. Foley’s Representative in the United States Congress, it gives me great pleasure to present this plaque to him for his dedicated service to this country and the courage and commitment he demonstrated in WWII,” stated Rep. Doyle. “Thank you for the sacrifices you made so many years ago to preserve the fabric of democracy, worldwide. For we might not have what we do today if veterans like Jack Foley did not volunteer and do what needed to be done in WWII.”

As a member of Easy Company, Mr. Foley is included in Stephen Ambrose’s book, “Band of Brothers.” AOL Time Warner and HBO made the book into a 10-part miniseries on HBO. The miniseries is a modern epic that follows the elite company of paratroopers along a heroic three-year journey from their first arduous days at boot camp in Toccoa, Georgia in the summer of 1942, through their final triumphant seizure of Hitler’s infamous Eagle’s Nest in Berchtesgaden, Germany in the spring of 1945.

Along the way the film depicts the unyielding bravery of the men of Easy Company of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division as they risk nothing less than their lives during a perilous airborne drop behind enemy lines on D-Day. The miniseries also captures the gritty determination of these valiant comrades-in-arms as they battle along Hell’s Highway in Operation Market Garden to liberate Holland.

On September 24, 2001, AOL Time Warner, HBO and the Congressional Fire Services Institute hosted a special screening of the series, “Band of Brothers” in Washington, D.C. Prior to the screening, a reception was hosted to honor the men of Easy Company in which each veteran received a specially crafted plaque.

As Mr. Foley was unable to attend this event, Rep. Doyle presented him his plaque today at the Penn Hills Council Chambers. The plaque was specially designed by the United States Postal Service featuring a reissued Normandy stamp and a Veterans’ stamp. In addition, Rep. Doyle presented Mr. Foley with an American flag and a Congressional proclamation.

Mr. Foley joined Easy Company in Holland and became assistant platoon leader of the 2nd Platoon. In Bastogne, Belgium, he was promoted to 1st Platoon commander.

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