Ship's Crew
William Feeny Foster Jr.
Rank(s): Commander
Dates of Service: 7/30/1999 - 8/11/2001
Birth Date: 7/28/1958
Death Date: 12/2024
William F. Foster, Jr. was born in Monterey, California on July 28, 1958. He attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill from 1976 to 1980 and received a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science. He was commissioned from the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) Class of 1980. Between 1993 and 1994, he attended the Naval War College, where he earned a Master’s degree in National Security and Strategic Studies. He served as executive officer on USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20) from October 1997 to June 1999.
Foster assumed command of Constitution on July 30, 1999. He initiated “Old Ironsides Across the Nation,” an educational outreach program co-sponsored by the USS Constitution Museum. With 13 sailors and the 28-foot captain’s gig, he traveled to Cleveland, Chicago, Indianapolis, and Pittsburgh to educate the public about Constitution and her crew. The ship’s crew and museum staff visited each city for six days, during which time they visited classrooms, conducted teacher workshops, and offered public presentations. The program reached more than 55,000 people and won the 2003 National Award from the Institute for Museum and Library Services. In addition, Foster led the “Parade of Sail” into Boston Harbor, which opened the Sail Boston 2000 event. Foster transferred command to his successor on August 11, 2001.
After his duty on Constitution, Foster worked as an operations officer for the Center for Career Development in the Navy Personnel Command from September 2001 to November 2003 on navy bases worldwide. During this time he was promoted to captain. From December 2003 through November 2005, he was the director of the Communications Office within the Navy Personnel Command. In December 2005, he became director of the Center for Career Development under the Navy Personnel Command, and remained in charge of human resource management until August 2008. Foster retired after 28 years in the navy and worked as an associate at Booz Allen Hamilton, a company in the management consulting industry. He was awarded a Meritorious Service Medal. Foster died in December 2024.
