Charles H. Foy was born in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and entered the naval service during the height of the American Civil War. By early 1865, he was serving as a Signal Quartermaster aboard the USS Rhode Island, a wooden-hulled side-wheel steamer converted for wartime use. His role was critical for communication, requiring him to remain visible and composed under fire to relay essential commands.

In January 1865, Foy and his crew were dispatched to the North Carolina coast for the Second Battle of Fort Fisher. This massive amphibious assault aimed to capture the “Gibraltar of the South” and close the last major port available to the Confederacy. Between January 13 and 15, the USS Rhode Island engaged both the fort and the Federal Point batteries, subjecting the crew to intense artillery fire.

Throughout the three-day engagement, Foy remained at his station, performing his duties with noted courage. The battle eventually culminated in a brutal land assault on the fort’s traverse walls. Despite the heavy casualty list and the chaos of the storming attempt, Foy’s conduct was described as outstanding. His unwavering commitment to his duties amidst the carnage of the assault earned him the nation’s highest military honor.