Richard Foley was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1967 as part of the Vietnam War. After attending boot camp at Fort Campbell, Ky. he went on to advanced field artillery training at Fort Sill, Okla. Later that year Foley found himself on the ground in the jungles of Vietnam in December 1967 for the next twelve months.

Initially, he was assigned to the 25th Infantry near Cu Chi, Vietnam operating in the fire direction center, field artillery. The second half of his tour entailed the same task, but he was re-assigned to the 1st Field Force, 9th Infantry as part of a changing mission. His new assignment brought him to a location near the Mekong Delta outside Can Tho, Vietnam supporting ARVN troops with fire missions.

For his service in Vietnam, Foley was awarded the Bronze Star, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry (oak leaf cluster), Vietnam Service and Campaign Medals as well as the M16 Sharpshooter Medal.