John R. Fox

Calling artillery onto his position to protect his comrades.

John Robert Fox was born on May 18, 1915, in Cincinnati, Ohio. He served as a United States Army first lieutenant in Cannon Company, 366th Infantry, 92nd Infantry Division, attached to the 598th Field Artillery Battalion as a forward observer.

Fox studied at Ohio State University before transferring to Wilberforce University, where he trained through ROTC. With the 366th Infantry, he undertook domestic security duties in New England during 1942 and early 1943. He deployed overseas in March 1944, traveling through Morocco and Algeria to Italy. Following support and guard assignments, his regiment joined the 92nd Infantry Division in November. Cannon Company personnel were attached to the 598th Field Artillery Battalion in early December, and Fox entered the Sommocolonia observation post on December 23.

On December 26, 1944, German forces attacked Sommocolonia, Italy. Fox and his observer party remained in a house after most American infantry withdrew. As the attackers closed in, he called for artillery fire progressively nearer his position.

When enemy troops surrounded the house, Fox requested fire on his own location despite his commander's warning. He and his party died. The bombardment delayed the attack and allowed American infantry and artillery units to reorganize.

Fox received the Distinguished Service Cross posthumously in 1982. This award was upgraded to the Medal of Honor in 1997. President Bill Clinton presented his posthumous Medal of Honor to his widow, Arlene, at the White House on January 13, 1997. Fox is buried at Colebrook Cemetery in Whitman, Massachusetts. His award commemorates the sacrifice of a forward observer who placed the defense of his comrades above his own survival.

Official Medal of Honor citation (National WWII Museum transcription):

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty: First Lieutenant John R. Fox distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism at the risk of his own life on 26 December 1944 in the Serchio River Valley Sector, in the vicinity of Sommocolonia, Italy. Lieutenant Fox was a member of Cannon Company, 366th Infantry, 92d Infantry Division, acting as a forward observer, while attached to the 598th Field Artillery Battalion.

Christmas Day in the Serchio Valley was spent in positions which had been occupied for some weeks. During Christmas night, there was a gradual influx of enemy soldiers in civilian clothes and by early morning the town was largely in enemy hands. An organized attack by uniformed German formations was launched around 0400 hours, 26 December 1944. Reports were received that the area was being heavily shelled by everything the Germans had, and although most of the U.S.

infantry forces withdrew from the town, Lieutenant Fox and members of his observer party remained behind on the second floor of a house, directing defensive fires. Lieutenant Fox reported at 0800 hours that the Germans were in the streets and attacking in strength. He called for artillery fire increasingly close to his own position. He told his battalion commander, "That was just where I wanted it.

Bring it in 60 yards!" His commander protested that there was a heavy barrage in the area and the bombardment would be too close. Lieutenant Fox gave his adjustment, requesting that the barrage be fired. The distance was cut in half. The Germans continued to press forward in large numbers, surrounding the position.

Lieutenant Fox again called for artillery fire with the commander protesting again, stating, "Fox, that will be on you!" The last communication from Lieutenant Fox was, "Fire It! There's more of them than there are of us. Give them hell!" The bodies of Lieutenant Fox and his party were found in the vicinity of his position when his position was taken.

This action, by Lieutenant Fox, at the cost of his own life, inflicted heavy casualties, causing the deaths of approximately 100 German soldiers, thereby delaying the advance of the enemy until infantry and artillery units could be reorganized to meet the attack. Lieutenant Fox's extraordinarily valorous actions exemplify the highest traditions of the military service.