Colonel Wesley Fox, one of the true legends of the Corps, has died in his birthplace of Herndon, VA, at the age of 86. Born on 30 September 1931, Colonel Fox enlisted in the Marine Corps in August of 1950, and served two tours of duty in Korea with 3/5. On his first tour, as a rifleman, he was wounded, and awarded a Bronze Star for bravery.
Between Korea and Vietnam, Fox rose to the rank of First Sergeant, serving a tour as a Drill Instructor, and as a Platoon Sergeant in Force Reconnaissance. He was commissioned in 1966, returning to Force Recon, before being assigned to command Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 9th Marines. It was with Alpha 1/9 in the A Shau Valley in February of 1969 that Wesley Fox earned our nation's highest honor for bravery.
Colonel Fox would go on to write two books, both of which should be on the shelf of any leader. The first is Courage and Fear; A Primer, and the second is Marine Rifleman; Forty-three Years in the Corps.
Men like Wesley Fox are leaving us in ever greater numbers. They will be missed more than can be measured, as their courage and their honor represent values that are the subject of ridicule and derision, and have been all but drummed out of our social consciousness.
Semper Fidelis, Colonel Fox. We stand on the shoulders of giants, and for three generations of Marines, you were prominent among them.
URR here.
Day is done Marine, going home. Semper Fidelis Sir and a hearty Airborne!
Posted by: SFC Dunlap 173d RVN | 11/26/2017 at 05:26 AM
"They will be missed more than can be measured, as their courage and their honor represent values that are the subject of ridicule and derision, and have been all but drummed out of our social consciousness."
That's aside from the fact that when such virtues are missing from a society, the society crumbles. Alas, the rot is well advanced.
Posted by: Quartermaster | 11/27/2017 at 07:47 AM
COL Fox,
Was my commanding office at OCS in 1992. I sure hate to see him go. Your tour is over Marine, see you on the Tactical high ground in the sky. You made the Fighting Maine I became Thanks you!!!!!
Posted by: PhilB | 11/27/2017 at 11:27 AM
I had the honor of serving with Col Fox. Admired by all, a great human being and a Outstanding Marine.
SF Col Mark Goodman
Posted by: Mark Goodman | 11/27/2017 at 01:02 PM