Memorial Day: Remember 1st Lt. John Fox

The biting December air, thick with the acrid scent of gunpowder and the chilling reality of war, clung to the shattered stones of Sommocolonia. In this small Italian village, nestled precariously in the Apuan Alps, a drama of extraordinary courage and selflessness unfolded on December 26, 1944. At the heart of this pivotal moment stood First Lieutenant John Robert Fox, a forward observer attached with the 598th Field Artillery Battalion of the 92nd Infantry Division – the famed Buffalo Soldiers. His actions that day, a testament to unwavering dedication and ultimate sacrifice, would echo through history, culminating in a posthumous Medal of Honor.

The 92nd Infantry Division, a segregated unit of African American soldiers, faced not only the formidable German forces but also the insidious prejudice prevalent from our own nation. Despite these dual battles, Lieutenant Fox and his battalion and the rest of the 92nd Infantry Division fought with remarkable valor and determination throughout the Italian Campaign. Their advance through treacherous terrain and against entrenched enemy positions was a testament to their resilience and commitment to duty.

Lieutenant Fox, born in Cincinnati and a graduate of Wilberforce University in Ohio as a commissioned officer, embodied this spirit. As a forward observer, his role was critical: to position himself strategically, observe enemy activity, and direct artillery fire to support the infantry's advance. On that fateful day in Sommocolonia, Fox found himself on the second floor of a house, providing crucial targeting information as German forces launched a fierce counterattack.

The enemy, intent on reclaiming the village, pressed their assault with relentless intensity. American infantry units, facing overwhelming numbers and withering fire, began to fall back. Lieutenant Fox, with his vantage point, remained steadfast, relaying vital coordinates that allowed Allied artillery to disrupt the German advance and provide cover for the retreating American soldiers.

As the situation grew increasingly bleak, and the enemy closed in on his own position, Lieutenant Fox made a decision that would forever etch his name in the annals of heroism. Recognizing the imminent danger to his comrades and the strategic importance of delaying the German advance, he issued a chillingly courageous order. Speaking over the radio to the artillery battery, he instructed them to direct their fire directly onto his own location, saying "Fire It! There's more of them than there are of us. Give them hell!" He knew what he was doing. He ordered artillery to fire directly at him.

The voice on the other end of the line, undoubtedly filled with disbelief and horror, questioned the order. But Fox, with unwavering resolve, confirmed his request. He understood that his sacrifice, though tragic, was the only way to effectively halt the enemy's momentum and allow his fellow soldiers to withdraw and regroup.

The ensuing artillery barrage rained down on the village, engulfing Lieutenant Fox's position. The devastating firestorm achieved its intended purpose. The German attack was blunted, the enemy forces were forced to withdraw, and the remaining American troops were able to escape the immediate threat.

In the aftermath of the battle, when the smoke cleared and the village fell silent, the grim reality of Lieutenant Fox's sacrifice became apparent. His body was found amidst the rubble, a stark testament to his extraordinary act of courage.

For decades, the full measure of Lieutenant Fox's heroism remained largely unrecognized. The racial prejudices of the time cast a long shadow, obscuring the valor and achievements of many African American soldiers who served with distinction in World War II. However, the stories of their bravery persisted, passed down through generations and meticulously researched by historians and advocates.

In the 1990s, a renewed effort to acknowledge the overlooked heroism of African American soldiers of World War II gained momentum. A thorough review of records and eyewitness accounts brought Lieutenant Fox's selfless act to the forefront. Finally, on January 12, 1997, President Bill Clinton posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor to First Lieutenant John Robert Fox.

The citation for his Medal of Honor eloquently captures the magnitude of his sacrifice: "First Lieutenant John R. Fox distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism at the risk of his own life on 26 December 1944, in the vicinity of Sommocolonia, Italy. During a German counterattack, Lieutenant Fox was serving as a forward observer. As the Germans advanced, Lieutenant Fox directed defensive artillery fire. Although the advancing enemy infantry and artillery shells came within 50 yards of his position, Lieutenant Fox continued to direct fire on the enemy. While doing so, he was wounded. Refusing to be evacuated, Lieutenant Fox continued to direct artillery fire on the advancing enemy. When it became apparent that the enemy had overrun his position, Lieutenant Fox called for artillery fire on his own location in a final act of self-sacrifice to save the lives of his comrades and to slow the enemy advance. First Lieutenant Fox's heroic actions contributed significantly to the ultimate defeat of the enemy."

The story of John Robert Fox is more than just a tale of battlefield bravery. It is a powerful reminder of the courage and patriotism displayed by African American soldiers who fought valiantly for a nation that often denied them their basic rights. His selfless act in Sommocolonia stands as a profound testament to the human capacity for sacrifice and the enduring American spirit to defeat despots. Though his life was tragically cut short, his legacy of courage, duty, and ultimate sacrifice will forever inspire generations to come. His name is now rightfully etched among the pantheon of American heroes, a shining example of valor that transcends race and speaks to the highest ideals of service and selflessness.

And a personal connection: I trained at Fort Devens in Massachusetts, nearly 50 years after Lt. Fox did so.

On this Memorial Day, please remember Lieutenant Fox for his selflessness, bravery, and heroism. And remember all those who gave their last full measure of devotion in defense of the ideal that is the United States of America. We owe it to them to continue, however imperfectly, towards that ideal.

Prior Memorial Day Posts

Jeff For Banks: Memorial Day Post: Honor Those Fallen During Our Afghanistan Withdrawal

Jeff For Banks: Memorial Day: Remember Sergeant (USMC) Rafael Peralta

Jeff For Banks: Memorial Day: Remember Captain Andy Haldane

Jeff For Banks: Memorial Day: Remember Maurice "Maury" Hukill

Jeff For Banks: Memorial Day: Remember Irv Earhart

Jeff For Banks: Memorial Day: Black Hawk Down

Sources:

Medal of Honor citation: John Robert Fox | World War II | U.S. Army | Medal of Honor Recipient

Seven Black WWII Heroes Receive Medal of Honor: https://archive.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=43307

War Heroes: First Lieutenant John R Fox: War Heroes- First Lieutenant John Robert Fox

John R Fox biography: John Robert Fox | World War II | U.S. Army | Medal of Honor Recipient

Google Gemini aided in the drafting of this article.

Memorial Day: Black Hawk Down

On October 3, 1993, the U.S. launched a raid to find forces of Somali warlord General Mohammed Farah Aideed, who had been ordering attacks on U.N. forces assigned there for humanitarian missions. Things went badly.

Black Hawk Down

That raid, initially the kind soldiers train for routinely, erupted into a crisis when militiamen downed two Black Hawk helicopters using rocket propelled grenades. The 15-hour battle that ensued, after raids were turned into a rescue mission, left 18 Americans dead and 73 injured. 

It also left shocking images of American soldiers dragged through the streets of Mogadishu so seared into our memories.

The 15-hour rescue operation was chronicled in the book Black Hawk Down by Mark Bowden and the subsequent movie of the same name. 

MSG Gary Gordon and SFC Randy Shughart

Into the melee comes Master Sergeant Gary Gordon of Lincoln, Maine, and Sergeant First Class Randy Shughart of Newville, Pennsylvania. 

Dispatched via another Black Hawk to provide reconnaissance and cover fire until ground forces could extract troops, they found a downed Black Hawk and its crew in peril, with militia closing in rapidly, and no ground troops in site.

Despite this, Gordon and Shughart demanded to be inserted on the ground. Their commanders only permitted the insertion if they did so voluntarily. They did.

They were inserted a football field south of the crash equipped with only their sniper rifles and pistols. While under intense small arms fire, they fought their way through a dense maze of shanties and shacks to reach the critically injured downed aircraft crew. 

They pulled the pilot and other crew members from the wreckage, and established a perimeter which placed them in a highly tenuous position. They fought until their ammunition was depleted. At that time, they surrendered one of their remaining loaded weapons to the pilot, and continued the fight.

Until they were out of ammunition. And were fatally wounded by the enemy. Their selfless actions saved the pilot's life. And earned them a posthumous Medal of Honor.

Memorial Day

I ask that you reflect on MSG Gordon and SFC Shughart, and all of your fellow Americans that gave their last full measure so you can enjoy the freedoms our country so often takes for granted.

Happy Memorial Day!

~ Jeff

Memorial Day: Two to Remember

Life is tough. It is difficult to step back and take perspective on tough. We have an inbox full of e-mails to attend to, meetings to prepare for, and customers to serve. We cherish the three day Memorial Day Weekend to step away from it all, if only temporarily.

But the reason for the day was given to us by those that cannot celebrate it. They signed their name on the line, and we sent them to the line, gun in hand. Right a wrong. Liberate another country. Protect us. And they did.

I would like to highlight two of those individuals so I can be reflective on this solemn day. And perhaps make it easier for you to do the same. At your Memorial Day cookout, I encourage you to feature one of these selfless countrymen to your family and friends. 

Cpl. Kenneth Stuck

In 2016, more than 65 years after he was killed in action in the Korean War and labeled missing in action, Corporal Kenneth Stuck came home in a flag-draped coffin to Hummelstown, Pennsylvania.

Cpl Stuck was with the U.S. Army's 1st Cavalry while involved in the Battle of Unsan, which was a devastating loss for American and UN Troops. Multiple engagements, beginning on October 25, 1950, resulted in heavy losses among the 1st Cavalry. 

Although likely injured, Kenny survived the onslaught but was taken captive by the enemy, and imprisoned in North Korea's notorious Camp 5 in Pyoktong. Testing revealed that Kenny likely died of starvation. He starved to death. In a POW camp. 

He was buried in a mass grave of 322 bodies. Where he remained for the next 65 years. Until the U.S. Army was allowed to excavate the site, and DNA identified his remains.

On this Memorial Day, remember Kenny Stuck, one of the greater than 36,000 American troops that perished in the Korean conflict that was fought to keep South Korea free from communist rule.

Private Mikio Hasemoto

Pvt Hasemoto, a Hawaiian Nisei (Japanese American), was part of the 100th Infantry Battalion (separate). Separate because Nisei were separated from the regular 100th as a result of their heritage.

These soldiers served with honor, even though they faced prejudice, and their families lived under the cloud of Executive Order 9066, signed by President Roosevelt to remand certain people of Japanese, German, and Italian descent to camps to reduce the risk of enemy infiltration. 

Mikio distinguished himself in Italy on November 29, 1943. His unit faced a force of 40 enemy soldiers that attacked the left flank of his platoon. While under heavy fire, he and his squad leader killed 30 of them, and injured or captured the rest.

The following day was a repeat of the prior day. Although, while under heavy fire, Mikio was mortally wounded. 

He received a posthumous Medal of Honor for his actions and heroism. Remember Private Hasemoto.

Feel free to share your Memorial Day memories in the comment section.

Happy Memorial Day everyone!

~ Jeff