| John D. Foley | |
| Branch: | United States Army Air Forces |
| Unit: | 22nd Bomb Group 93rd Bombardment Group, 309th Bomber Squadron |
| Battles: | World War II |
John D. Foley (March 1, 1918 – December 21, 1999), served in the United States Army Air Forces as a gunner during World War II. He was the inspiration of the popular 1943 song "Johnny Got a Zero".[1]
Foley enlisted in November 1941.[2] 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 B-26 Marauder caught the attention of the bomber's pilot, Lieutenant Walter Krell.[3] As the top turret gunner was injured, Foley became his replacement, despite having no aerial-gunnery training.[1] [2]
After a quick introduction to the equipment and procedures and one practice mission, Foley found himself on his first combat mission two days later, a raid against shipping near Rabaul on May 24, 1942.[3] He shot down an A6M Zero,[2] even though he had not even been taught how to use the gunsight.[3] Two weeks later, he was credited with two more over Lae.[2] International News Service war correspondent Pat Robinson wrote an article about him and dubbed him "Johnny Zero".[3]
The song "Johnny Got a Zero" was released as sheet music in 1943, lyrics by Mack David and music by Vee Lawnhurst, and topped out at #4 on the Variety list for the week of April 28.[4] An a cappella rendition by The Song Spinners, "Johnny Zero", stayed on Billboard magazine's charts from June to August, peaking at #7.[4] In the song, Johnny does poorly in school, with the other children mocking him with "Johnny got a zero" every time he fails a test. However, when he grows up and becomes a fighter pilot, the words take on an entirely different meaning.[4]
Foley flew on 31 more missions in the Pacific War, sharing credit for at least six confirmed victories and surviving three crashes (in the second, he was the sole survivor).[1] [2] After contracting malaria, he was sent back to the United States in 1943 to undertake a promotional tour and become a gunnery instructor.
He applied to fight in Europe, and flew another 31 missions in only 60 days with the 309th Bomber Squadron as a gunner in a B-24 Liberator.[1] [5] 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, Riverside County, California.