Colonel Wesley Lee Fox headed for his final rest at Arlington

Mick sends us the news that DVIDS will be broadcasting Colonel Wesley Lee Fox’ last trip to his final rest at Arlington National Cemetery beginning at 1340 hours;

The Colonel passed in November. We reported on his death then;

Bobo sends us the sad news that retired United States Maine Corps Colonel Wesley Lee Fox has passed at the age of 86. The Herndon, Virginia native served in the USMC for 43 years. He’s considered a legend among Marines.

Fox was a Mustang officer who began his service in the Korean War. He was wounded and sent to Bethesda Naval Hospital. Sergeant Fox returned to Korea as a platoon sergeant after his wounds allowed him to go back. After the war, he became a drill instructor and a recruiter eventually earning promotion to First Sergeant, then attended the Officer Candidate Course and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions as a First Lieutenant in Vietnam;

The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Captain [then First Lieutenant] Wesley Lee Fox (MCSN: 0-96702), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty on 22 February 1969, while serving as Commanding Officer of Company A, First Battalion, Ninth Marines, THIRD Marine Division (Reinforced), Fleet Marine Force, in action against the enemy in the northern A Shau Valley. Captain Fox’s company came under intense fire from a large well concealed enemy force. Captain Fox maneuvered to a position from which he could assess the situation and confer with his platoon leaders. As they departed to execute the plan he had devised, the enemy attacked and Captain Fox was wounded along with all of the other members of the command group, except the executive officer. Captain Fox continued to direct the activity of his company. Advancing through heavy enemy fire, he personally neutralized one enemy position and calmly ordered an assault against the hostile emplacements. He then moved through the hazardous area coordinating aircraft support with the activities of his men. When his executive officer was mortally wounded, Captain Fox reorganized the company and directed the fire of his men as they hurled grenades against the enemy and drove the hostile forces into retreat. Wounded again in the final assault, Captain Fox refused medical attention, established a defensive posture, and supervised the preparation of casualties for medical evacuation. His indomitable courage, inspiring initiative, and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of grave personal danger inspired his Marines to such aggressive action that they overcame all enemy resistance and destroyed a large bunker complex. Captain Fox’s heroic actions reflect great credit upon himself and the Marine Corps, and uphold the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.

Category: We Remember