Bill Text: VA SR21 | 2016 | Regular Session | Prefiled
Bill Title: Commending Colonel Wesley L. Fox, USMC, Ret.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2016-03-11 - Failed to pass in Senate [SR21 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2016-SR21-Prefiled.html
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16101880D WHEREAS, Colonel Wesley L. Fox, USMC, Ret., of Blacksburg, a decorated veteran and recipient of the Medal of Honor, has served the Commonwealth and the United States with the utmost dedication and distinction; and WHEREAS, a native of Herndon, Colonel Fox joined the United States Marine Corps in 1950; he served two tours during the Korean War, then returned to the United States and served as a drill instructor and recruiter; and WHEREAS, throughout his military career, Colonel Fox displayed courage, gallantry, and an unyielding commitment to duty; he earned the Medal of Honor for his actions on February 22, 1969, during Operation Dewey Canyon in the Quang Tri Province of Vietnam; and WHEREAS, during Operation Dewey Canyon, Colonel Fox personally neutralized an enemy emplacement and directed his fellow Marines to destroy others, despite having been wounded in action; he then directed air strikes, coordinated an advance until the enemy retreated, and ensured that wounded Marines were cared for and prepped for evacuation before seeking treatment for his own wounds; and WHEREAS, regarded as a legend in the United States Marine Corps, Colonel Fox held every enlisted and officer rank except sergeant major over the course of his 43-year career; in addition to the Medal of Honor, he earned several other awards and decorations, including the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Purple Heart, and many others; and WHEREAS, after his retirement from military service at the mandatory retirement age of 62 in 1993, Colonel Fox served as deputy commandant of cadets for the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets, where he helped inspire countless future leaders; and WHEREAS, Colonel Fox wrote a book about his unique experiences, Marine Rifleman: Forty-Three Years in the Corps and was featured on the 2003 PBS documentary American Valor; he lives in Blacksburg with his wife, Dotti, with whom he has three daughters; and WHEREAS, Colonel Fox is an exemplar of the professionalism, dedication to duty, and leadership displayed by men and women in uniform throughout the Commonwealth and the United States; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED by the Senate of Virginia, That Colonel Wesley L. Fox, USMC, Ret., hereby be commended for his dedicated service to the Commonwealth and the United States; and, be it RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Colonel Wesley L. Fox, USMC, Ret., as an expression of the Senate of Virginia's admiration for his heroic service and sacrifices in defense of the nation. |
