Wesley L. Fox

Wesley Lee Fox (September 30, 1931 – November 24, 2017) was a highly decorated United States Marine Corps colonel with 43 years of service. Fox was a combat veteran – receiving the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions during the Vietnam War – and is considered one of the Marine Corps' legendary heroes. After retiring from the Marine Corps, he wrote a book about his career: Marine Rifleman: Forty-Three Years in the Corps; and, he served for 8 years as deputy commandant for the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets.

Marine Corps service Korean War When the Korean War began, inspired by the military service of his cousins in World War II, Fox enlisted in the Marine Corps In March 1951, he was promoted to corporal. Returning to the United States in August of that year, he became a platoon commander with the 2d Force Reconnaissance Company at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

Vietnam War Beginning in September 1967, Fox served in the Vietnam War for 13 months as an executive officer of a South Vietnamese Marine Battalion.

Post-Vietnam Fox graduated from Amphibious Warfare School at Marine Corps Base Quantico in 1970 followed by assignment as tactics instructor at the Basic School. He later served duty with Marine Security Guards in Europe and then later as training officer, 2nd Marine Division. As a major, Fox served a tour in Okinawa with 3rd Recon Battalion, then was assigned as Reconnaissance Officer in the Marine Corps Development Center. As a lieutenant colonel, Fox assumed command of 1st Battalion, 6th Marines from June 1982 to July 1983. Fox graduated from the Army War College at Carlisle, Pennsylvania and was next assigned as Fleet Marine Officer Second Fleet aboard for two years. His final assignment was as the commanding officer of Marine Officer Candidate School.

Post-Marine Corps Fox retired from the Marine Corps as a colonel on 1 September 1993 at the mandatory age of 62. Fox was one of the very few servicemembers that fought in the Korean War who was still on active duty during the Gulf War. He continued to wear the uniform for eight more years as a deputy commandant of cadets for the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets. During and following his time as a deputy commandant, Fox was a regular guest speaker at Virginia Tech, sharing his experiences with America's next generation of military officers, business executives, and civic leaders.

In 2002, Fox wrote a book about his experiences in the military, Marine Rifleman: Forty-Three Years in the Corps and was featured on the 2003 PBS program American Valor. In 2011, he wrote a second book, Six Essential Elements of Leadership: Marine Corps Wisdom from a Medal of Honor Recipient, which is required reading for first year cadets at Virginia Tech.

Military awards

Fox's military decorations and awards included:

Marine Corps Rifle Expert Badge Marine Corps Pistol Expert Badge

Medal of Honor citation The President of the United States in the name of The Congress takes pleasure in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR to

for service as set forth in the following CITATION:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as commanding officer of Company A, in action against the enemy in the northern A Shau Valley. Capt. (then 1st Lt.) Fox's company came under intense fire from a large well concealed enemy force. Capt. 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 Capt. Fox was wounded along with all of the other members of the command group, except the executive officer. Capt. Fox continued to direct the activity of his company. Advancing through heavy enemy fire, he personally neutralized 1 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, Capt. 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, Capt. 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. Capt. Fox's heroic actions reflect great credit upon himself and the Marine Corps, and uphold the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.