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The Loss of a Legend
November 28, 2017 Grunt.com Admin

The Loss of a Legend

Medal of Honor recipient, U.S. Marine, and former deputy commandant for the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets Col. Wesley L. Fox died Friday, Nov. 24, 2017, in Blacksburg, Virginia. He was 86.

Fox grew up in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley and enlisted with the U.S. Marines in 1950 at the start of the Korean War. Months later, he was deployed to Korea as a rifleman and began a 43-year career in the military. He spent the first 16 years as a noncommissioned officer, and in addition to his combat assignments, he worked as a drill instructor, a recruiter, and a military police officer. In 1966, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant.

On Feb. 22, 1969, while serving as the commanding officer of Company A, 1st Battalion, 9th Marines, 3rd Marine Division in A Shau Valley, Vietnam, Fox’s unit was attacked. Despite injury, Fox led his men as they advanced through heavy fire. They eventually forced the North Vietnamese troops to retreat. Wounded again in a final assault, Fox continued to refuse medical attention and instead ensured that other wounded Marines were tended to and evacuated.

Filed in: Marine Corps Stories
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Comments

Joseph Looker - May 31, 2020

Sir, You will be sorely missed by all who had the honor to meet with you at the Marine Corps Law Enforcement Foundation, Atlantic City Gala’s and other MCLEF functions. God keep you in his hands & Semper Fidelis

Charles Deisher USMC Ret - May 31, 2020

Col Fox was one hard Marine. I am proud to have served with him. My condolences to his wife and daughters. Semper Fi Marine

Captain Kozlowski, USMC 67′ – 73′ - May 31, 2020

It is always a loss for us but a gain for Heaven knowing that a fellow Marine will be there Guarding the Gates if the Lord see fit for me to arrive when it is my time. Semper Fi – Colonel – RIP

LtCol Tom Harleman, USMC Ret, PhD - May 31, 2020

Capt Wes Fox was a tactics instructor at The Basic School in the fall of 1971. We mourned the recent passing of Chesty Puller then, but men like Wes Fox certainly measured up to Puller’s standards. Wes wore the old herringbone utilities, and must have still been changing two or three times a day in garrison, as his starched trousers were always creased to a knife edge. As I recall, he was one of those ‘warrior monks,’ unmarried. All of the lieutenants were somewhat in awe of him. Men like Puller and Fox made me very proud to be a Marine and a fellow Virginian. He was a man of few words, but when he spoke you could hear a pin drop. God rest his immortal soul.

Captain Robert T. Myers 68-79 (71-74 active duty) - May 31, 2020

Semper Fidelis to the Colonel who now is commanding the troops in the hereafter. All honor to you.

K T Cole - May 31, 2020

He wasn’t a soldier, he is a Marine.

Ed Vogler - May 31, 2020

He was my senior drill instructor in Plt 162 in San Diego in 1957. The effects of what he taught me remains with me today. An outstanding Marine, an outstanding man. Semper Fi, my all time hero.

ROBERT SILVA - May 31, 2020

Hand Salute! RIP, Sir! Is that when the “Walking Dead”, was born?

LK Ashbaugh - May 31, 2020

Semper Fi!!! What courage and strength!! I’m honored to live in the Land of the Free because if SUCH Brave!! Stand down Solider, this tour is done!!

Sgt Thomas blassingame - May 31, 2020

Thomas blassingame Sgt, 2nd bn 9th Marines. Rest in peace Sir, see you on the other side. SEMPER FI

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