“Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference in the world. But the Marines don’t have that problem.” —Ronald Reagan

Col. Wesley Lee Fox (USMC Ret.), Medal of Honor recipient for actions in Vietnam, drew his last breath Saturday at age 86. He was born in Herndon, Virginia, in 1931 and died in Blacksburg, Virginia.

Fox was a Mustang officer, having enlisted in the Marines during the Korean War, then rising through the enlisted and officer ranks to retire as a Colonel after 43 years of service to our nation. He was wounded in Korea but, after recovering, he returned to Korea as a platoon sergeant. After the war, he became a drill instructor, and, after making First Sergeant rank, he completed Officer Candidate School and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant.

Serving then in Vietnam, on Feb. 22, 1969, during Operation Dewey Canyon, though wounded twice, he refused treatment and led his company against intense enemy fire until the enemy retreated. We invite you to read his Medal of Honor citation.

On retirement, he became Deputy Commandant of Cadets for the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets in Blacksburg. From there, he devoted much of his time to inspiring the current generation of Patriots in uniform. One of his last speaking engagements was keynote for the Medal of Honor Heritage Center here in Chattanooga.

He authored three outstanding books on Marine leadership: Marine Rifleman, Six Essential Elements of Leadership and Courage and Fear, a Primer.

Col. Fox was and will always be, a Marine’s Marine — a legendary warrior. Fair winds and following seas, Sir. Semper Fidelis.