Dec 2018: Stephen Paul Foisy
US Army, Vietnam, 1968-1974

At the age of 21, Stephen Paul Foisy was employed with IBM when he received his draft notice for the United States Army on June 18, 1968, in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania. He completed Basic Training at Fort Dix, New Jersey then served in the Republic of Vietnam with Company C, 121 Signal Battalion, First Infantry Division from January 1969 until January 1970. His job in Vietnam was critical – he worked on the electrical generators which provided electricity for the communication radios. He had studied tool design technology at Williamsport Area Community College after high school, and he was able to continue his education by completing the Powerman Course at the US Army Engineering School and the Conventional/Precise Power Generator Course in Fort Belvoir, Virginia. Steve transferred to the Army Reserve in January of 1970 before being honorably discharged on June 18, 1974.

For his service to our country he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Marksman Medals for the M-14 & the M-16, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, and two overseas bars.

Good fortune followed Steve after he left the Army, and he was able to return to his employment with IBM in Owego, New York, where he worked diligently and enjoyed several promotions. After 27 years his employment with IBM ended when the plant he was working in was sold to Lockheed Martin; but thanks to his number of years of service to IBM, he was able to collect retirement and begin a whole new career with Lockheed Martin. During this time, Steve contributed to the design of many of the products on their aircraft including the SO console, acoustic rack, and ALFS pedestal, among others. Steve was the AVS CET lead from 2001 to 2003. His work lead to the application for two patents to protect his inventions. In 2003 he transitioned to the VH-71 Presidential Helicopter proposal where he remained as the lead for the Advanced Capabilities Installation Engineering Department. In July 2009 he returned to the MH-60R program where he supported installation efforts related to IRAD and FMS activities. In January 2011 Steve shouldered responsibility for the design of the modular racks as well as continuing to support FMS proposal efforts. Because of his outstanding performance and accomplishments, in May 2012 Steve was selected by his peers as the recipient of Lockheed Martin’s NHP Flag Award. In June 2012, he retired from Lockheed Martin. The brutal winters in New York coupled with high taxes convinced him and his wife Mikey to explore the option of living in places with milder winters and lower taxes. During an online search, they discovered Munford’s newest subdivision, Green Meadows, and moved to their new home in 2017.

Steve was nominated for Veteran of the Month by Rich Ali, who met him through Green Meadows.