Colonel Wes Fox, A Marine we should know

A two war Marine, Colonel Wes Fox received the nations highest award for heroism for action against enemy forces during the Vietnam War while serving as Commanding Officer, Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 9th Marines, 3rd Marine Division in the A Shau Valley on 22 Feb, 1969. Colonel Fox served 43 years on active duty serving in every rank from private to Colonel, except Sergeant Major.
He is the author of Marine Rifleman
Born on 30 September, 1931 in Herndon Virginia, Wesley Lee Fox enlisted in the Marine Corps on 4 August, 1950. Then Corporal Fox saw action in Korea and was wounded on 8 Sept, 1951. He later returned for a second tour as a Platoon Sergeant.
As an enlisted Marine Colonel Fox served in a variety of assignments including: as a Drill Instructor and Recruiter. He also served as an Armed Services Policeman and as a Pathfinder in 1st Force Reconnaissance Company. He was promoted to First Sergeant in May of 1966 and commissioned as a Second Lieutenant shortly after his promotion.
As a Marine Officer Colonel Fox also served in a variety of assignments including: 2nd Force Reconnaissance Company, as an Advisor with the Vietnamese Marine Corps, Marine Security Guard Duty, 3rd Reconnaissance, Infantry Battalion Commander and as the Commanding Officer of Officer Candidate School.
Colonel Fox requested an extension after his combat tour with the Vietnamese Marine Corps and was assigned as Company Commander, Company A, 1st Battalion, 9th Marines in Vietnam.
During Operation Dewey Canyon, then 1st Lieutenant Fox's Company engaged a significant enemy force. With all his officers killed or wounded he destroyed one enemy position and continued to direct the actions of his Marines. The Medal of Honor was presented to then Captain Fox by President Nixon on 2 March, 1971.
The President of the United States in the name of the Congress takes pleasure in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR to
CAPTAIN WESLEY L. FOX
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
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.
Colonel Fox retired from the Marine Corps in 1993 after 43 years of distinguished service to Corps and Country. He followed his active service as the Deputy Commandant of Cadet for the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets for eight years.
Resources for Marines
Marine Rifleman: Forty-Three Years in the Corps (Memories of War)
Congressional Medal of Honor Society
Medal of Honor: Portraits of Valor Beyond the Call of Duty
Courage and Fear: A Primer by Colonel Wesley L. Fox
Medal of Honor (DVD)





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