Foley enlisted in November 1941. After the
attack on Pearl Harbor, he was assigned to a non-combat role with the 22nd Bomb Group stationed in Australia. His diligent cleaning of the machine guns of a
Martin B-26 Marauder caught the attention of the bomber's pilot, Lieutenant Walter Krell. As the top turret gunner was injured, Foley became his replacement, despite having no aerial-gunnery training. An
a cappella rendition by
The Song Spinners, "Johnny Zero", stayed on
Billboard magazine's charts from June to August, peaking at #7. He volunteered for a third tour of duty, but the war ended. He died on December 21, 1999, at the age of 81 in
Banning, California. ==References==