WHITEHOUSE, Texas — Whitehouse City Council on Tuesday honored one of its hometown heroes who was killed in the USS Iowa explosion 35 years ago.
The council approved a proclamation naming April 19, 2024, “Tyrone Dwayne Foley Day." Foley, a 1980 Whitehouse High School graduate, was one of the 47 sailors who lost their lives when there was an explosion in the center gun room of the ship stationed near Puerto Rico on April 19, 1989.
According to the proclamation, Foley excelled as a student and an athlete while in school. He earned a place on the first team all-District roster for his exceptional performance as a wide receiver on the Wildcat football team. He also did well in basketball and track.
Foley left an "indelible mark on all who knew him," the proclamation read. He was also a devoted member of Smith Temple Church of God in Christ, where he sang in special groups and the church choir along with playing the piano, organ, and guitar. He studied drafting for two semesters at Tyler Junior College.
"Tyrone embodied the values of courage, integrity, and selflessness that define the true spirit of a sailor. His untimely passing is a profound loss, not only for his loved ones but for our entire community," Mayor James Wansley said as he read the proclamation. "Yet, in the face of this tragedy, we are inspired by Tyrone's legacy of valor and dedication, and we pledge to honor his memory by continuing to serve our country and our fellow citizens with the same unwavering commitment that he demonstrated throughout his life."
Following the reading, the city council officially voted to declared April 19, 2024 as “Tyrone Dwayne Foley Day."
At the beginning of the meeting, Kilgore City Councilman Victor Boyd, who was one of Foley's shipmates, spoke about remembering those killed in the USS Iowa explosion and his memories of Foley.
"We don't want anyone to ever forget Iowa 47," Boyd said.
Boyd told the council that he and Foley became really good friends in the Navy. He said Foley always had a smile on his face and he loved to sing, particularly Lionel Richie and the Commodores.
For several years, Boyd said he has been a part of the group that visits Foley's gravesite on April 19. But for the 35th anniversary of the explosion, he wanted to do something special so he reached out to Wansley about issuing a proclamation in Foley's honor.