Medal of Honor Recipient Wesley L. Fox Passes Away at 86

Earned Nation's Highest Award for Valor during Vietnam

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Congressional Medal of Honor Society

Nov 27, 2017, 10:21 ET

MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C., Nov. 27, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Congressional Medal of Honor Society announces that Colonel Wesley L. Fox, Medal of Honor recipient, passed away Friday evening, November 24, 2017, in Blacksburg, Virginia, at the age of 86.

Colonel Fox was born September 30, 1931, in Herndon, Virginia. He attended Warren County High School in Front Royal, VA, and enlisted in the Marines at age 19 during the Korean War. He was wounded while serving as a rifleman with the 5^th Marines in Korea, but returned to his unit after stateside treatment. He served two tours of duty during the Korean War.

After the war, he remained in the Marine Corps, working through the ranks and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in 1966.

In February 1969, during the Vietnam War, Fox was company commander and First Lieutenant of Company A, 9^th Marines, when his company was attacked by a large force of North Vietnamese troops. Although wounded himself, Fox continued to direct his men and air support throughout the assault. He personally moved forward through intense fire to eliminate a sniper position, and refused medical treatment for his wounds while coordinating the medical evacuation of casualties. He was presented his Medal of Honor by President Richard Nixon in 1971.

Colonel Fox retired in 1993 after 43 years of service – holding every enlisted rank except Sergeant Major and every officer rank except General.

Wesley L. Fox is survived by his wife Dotti Lou and family. Funeral services are pending. With Colonel Fox's passing, only 71 recipients remain alive today.

About the Congressional Medal of Honor Society

The Congressional Medal of Honor Society was chartered by the Congress in 1958 and consists exclusively of the living recipients of our nation's highest award for bravery in combat, the Medal of Honor. Those who wear this light blue ribbon and Medal around their neck are "recipients" of this prestigious award; they are not "winners." Although it is common to refer to the Medal as the Congressional Medal of Honor, it is simply named the Medal of Honor. Congress established the Society as the Congressional Medal of Honor Society.

Contact: Victoria Kueck
843-884-8862
[email protected]

SOURCE Congressional Medal of Honor Society