THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, January 12, 1997 TAG: 9701120051
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A15 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY MICHAEL E. RUANE, KNIGHT-RIDDER NEWS SERVICE
DATELINE: WASHINGTON LENGTH: 84 lines
The closer the Germans came to him, the closer Lt. John R. Fox brought in the American artillery barrage. ``That's just where I wanted it,'' he radioed from his advance observation post. ``Bring it in 60 yards!''
Even when surrounded, he ordered the shells closer. ``Fox,'' his stunned commander radioed, the barrage will be falling right ``on you.'' Fox replied: ``Fire it.''
It was the day after Christmas, 1944, and when the Americans later retook the position near Sommocolonia, Italy, they found Fox's shattered body, along with those of about 100 enemy soldiers.
John Fox's deed was sublimely courageous and worthy of his government's highest military accolade, the Congressional Medal of Honor. Except for one thing: He was black.
On Monday, a half-century after the 29-year-old lieutenant gave his life in Italy's Serchio River Valley, President Clinton will grant to Fox and six other soldiers the first Congressional Medals of Honor ever bestowed on blacks who served in World War II.
The act is a long overdue tribute to seven men who were for decades heroes to their families and neighbors, but who, because of the sting of wartime racism, were never accorded the exalted status they deserved.
``It's a great honor no matter when it comes,'' said Fox's widow, Arlene, of Houston, who still recalls the bleak, snowy day she received the telegram that her husband was missing in action.
``However, we never needed a medal to know that John was a good father, a good husband and a good soldier. Now the rest of the world can share in that pride.''
Only one of the seven - Vernon Baker, 77, of St. Maries, Idaho - still is
living. He and relatives of the others are scheduled to assemble in the East Room of the White House on Monday morning to receive the honor they have long deserved.
The seven came from all over - a missionary's son from Los Angeles who was reared in China and spoke Chinese, Hindi and German, the Alabama-born son of a Detroit auto worker, an Oklahoma cotton farmer's son and a Wyoming kid whose parents were killed in a car crash when he was 4.
All displayed in battle the same courage and frightening willingness to give, save or take life:
One drowned while saving others from a sinking ship. Another was gunned down trying to save a wounded comrade. Yet another became a terror on the battlefield, slaying the enemy like a man possessed. Others simply refused to retreat in the face of fear and daunting odds.
The government's decision to honor these extraordinary deeds had its roots in a determined campaign by relatives and some legislators to gain them proper recognition.
In 1993, the Army awarded Shaw University, a 130-year-old historically black college in Raleigh, N.C., a contract to investigate why no blacks won the Medal of Honor during World War II.
Although 1.7 million blacks served in World War II, and several had earned the Distinguished Service Medal, the second-highest award, none had gained the top honor. White World War II servicemen were awarded 239 medals of honor.
After months of research, the Shaw investigative team reported that the bitter climate of racism, vague governmental guidelines and the fact that fewer blacks got combat assignments all contributed to the absence of black medal of honor winners.
And it recommended that the Army review the deeds of several black servicemen for higher honors. These seven were selected. MEMO: The Associated Press contributed to this report. ILLUSTRATION: Color photo
Of the seven African Americans to get the Congressional Medal of
Honor on Monday, Vernon Baker is the only one still living. His
story Page A16.
ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTOS
Left to right: 2nd Lt. Vernon Baker, 1st Lt. Charles L. Thomas, 1st
Lt. John R. Fox and Staff Sgt. Edward A. Carter are four of the
seven to be honored.
Graphic
WHO THEY ARE
[For complete graphic, please see microfilm]
KEYWORDS: WORLD WAR II AFRICAN AMERICANS HEROES
MEDALS