US launched unsuccessful mission to free murdered journalist James Foley

By Ruth Pollard
Updated August 22 2014 - 1:23pm, first published 12:14am
James Foley receives applause from students at the Christa McAuliffe Regional Charter Public School in Massachusetts in 2011. Photo: MetroWest Daily News/Ken McGagh
James Foley receives applause from students at the Christa McAuliffe Regional Charter Public School in Massachusetts in 2011. Photo: MetroWest Daily News/Ken McGagh

In the months leading up to James Foley's horrific death at the hands of Islamic militants, the United States launched a failed rescue mission in Syria and refused to pay a multi-million dollar ransom for the 40-year-old journalist, it has been revealed.