[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 195 (Thursday, November 30, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1623]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 TRIBUTE TO THE LIFE OF WESLEY LEE FOX

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. H. MORGAN GRIFFITH

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 30, 2017

  Mr. GRIFFITH. Mr. Speaker, I rise in tribute to the life of Wesley 
Lee Fox of Blacksburg, Virginia. Colonel Fox died on November 24, 2017 
at the age of 86. He devoted his life to his country and the United 
States Marine Corps. The many decorations he earned throughout his 
storied career included the highest military award our country can 
give, the Medal of Honor.
  Colonel Fox always sought action throughout his career. Growing up as 
a farm boy in Virginia, he was inspired to enlist by his cousin's 
service during World War II. After completing basic training at Parris 
Island, he fought in Korea and was wounded. The war ended, but he 
remained in the Marines.
  When the Vietnam War intensified, Colonel Fox knew he wanted to be on 
the front lines. He received a temporary commission as second 
lieutenant and served for a time advising South Vietnamese forces. 
Eventually he achieved his goal of taking the fight to the enemy by 
assuming command of a Marine rifle company.
  On February 22, 1969, Colonel Fox's company came under heavy fire 
from a larger, hidden enemy force in the A Shau Valley. His company at 
that time had less than 90 men active out of 240. According to his 
Medal of Honor citation, he steered the unit into a better position to 
prepare a plan of attack. Colonel Fox and many of the company's leaders 
were wounded when it went into action, but he coolly continued to lead 
his men in the fight. After his company fought off the enemy, Colonel 
Fox refused medical attention while other wounded Marines were 
evacuated. In the words of the citation, ``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.''
  After Colonel Fox retired from the Marines in 1993, he served for 
eight years as Deputy Commandant of Cadets at Virginia Tech. He also 
wrote three books and spoke regularly with high school classes about 
his experiences. I had the honor of meeting Colonel Fox at a ceremony 
recognizing him with the unveiling of a Medal of Honor postage stamp at 
the Blacksburg Post Office in 2015.
  Colonel Fox leaves his wife of 56 years, Dotti, his three daughters, 
and nine grandchildren, as he goes now to rest with the heroes at 
Arlington National Cemetery.

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