John Foley

Colonel John Foley was a soldier in the Terran military, son of Field Marshall Paul Foley and the most decorated hero of the Alliance-Yagh Conflict. Serving in the Terran military for nearly 30 years, he saw the creation of the Sol Alliance and the first contact with the Yagh. Assigned as the commanding officer of the Terran Second Recon Brigade, he saw much combat during the war. During the final year of the war, he had earned almost every medal except for the Medal of Honor. During the Battle of Shanxi, he sacrificed himself in order to allow his men to escape. This selfless act earned him the Medal of Honor and his birthday became a national holiday within the Terran Empire.

Military career
Originally assigned to the Terran First Fleet, Foley served as a gunner aboard the TSS London. After ten years, he was promoted to Commander and was assigned as the executive officer of the Terran First Recon Brigade. When the Alliance-Yagh Conflict broke out, he was promoted to Colonel and reassigned as the commanding officer of the Terran Second Recon Brigade. His unit's purpose was to scout ahead of the main battle force and determine the strength of the Yagh forces. However, late into the war, his unit became stranded on the colony world of Shanxi at the start of the battle.

Death
When Alliance forces arrived in order to evacuate the recon brigade, the brigade had already lost nearly half of it's manpower due to constant attacks from the Yagh. In order for his remaining men to escape, Foley and several other soldiers stayed behind in order to delay the Yagh long enough for the remaining soldiers to escape. Although the exact details of his death are unknown, Foley was confirmed KIA by reinforcements that arrived at the scene. His body was returned to Earth and buried.