January 24, 2025
A life of service spanning accounting, intelligence leadership, and heroic sacrifice was honored Monday, January 13, as Pearl River Community College celebrated the legacy of alumnus Percy E. (Sam) Foxworth. His story began at The River, where the foundation was laid for a journey that would lead him to a role as one of the FBI’s most trusted leaders in a time of global conflict.
College administrators were joined by representatives from the FBI, the City of Poplarville, and Pearl River County for time to reflect and visit the commemorative headstone and plaque near his wife’s grave in Poplarville. Foxworth was killed when his plane crashed on January 15, 1943, in Suriname (formerly Surinam, Dutch Guiana) while en route to perform a secret mission of critical importance to the war effort in North Africa.
“Mr. Percy Foxworth’s legacy as a proud graduate of Pearl River Community College serves as an inspiring example to all of our students,” said PRCC President Dr. Adam Breerwood. “His commitment to service, leadership, and excellence in his role as Assistant Director of the FBI shows what is possible with hard work, integrity, and dedication.
“His sacrifice in the line of duty reminds us all of the importance of courage and duty to others. At PRCC, we honor his memory and encourage our students to follow his example in not only pursuing their dreams but making a difference in the world.”
Born in Purvis, Foxworth’s family moved to Poplarville during his formative years. He attended Pearl River from 1922 – 1923 before studying accounting at the Walton School of Commerce and the LaSalle Extension University. He originally worked for the Edward Hines Western Pine Company in Poplarville for six years before he applied to enter the FBI. His tenure with the company landed him the nickname ‘Sam’ which followed him for the rest of his life.
Foxworth career with the FBI took him across the country, with assignments at field offices in Jacksonville, FL, Oklahoma City, New York City, and Washington, D. C. From April 1935 to June 1939, he served as an Administrative Assistant to the Director of the FBI J. Edgar Hoover. By June 1940, Foxworth had been named an Assistant Director in charge of the Special Intelligence Service (SIS) created by President Roosevelt’s charge for counterintelligence and intelligence collection in South and Central America.
“Sam Foxworth was one of my most capable assistants,” said Hoover after Foxworth’s death. “His loyal, industrious efforts have played an important role in the development of the FBI during the past 10 years.”
After a memorial service at First Presbyterian Church in New York, Foxworth was laid to rest in Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery located in Lemay Township, St. Louis County, Missouri.
Foxworth’s service and sacrifice were memorialized by naming a Merchant Marine Liberty cargo ship the SS Percy E. Foxworth. Commissioned on February 8, 1944, the ship was one of 2,710 built to supply the troops with everything they needed. Foxworth was awarded the FBI Medal of Honor posthumously in 1991.
Foxworth met his wife, Ann Holliday, while at PRCC. Upon his death, she returned to Poplarville, where she remained until her death on February 4, 1992. The couple did not have children, and she never remarried.
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Article by Laura O’Neill.
