Lieutenant Chris Peter Fox Jr.
Air Medal
Chris Peter Fox Jr. was born December 2, 1920 in El Paso TX to Mr. and Mrs. C P Fox. Graduating from El Paso HS in 1938 he entered NMAMC he following year. He attended school for three years. In August 1942, just months following the outbreak of the war, he enlisted in the US Army. After completing basic training he was selected to attend OCS. Following his commissioning he was assigned to Company G, 273rd Infantry Regiment, 69th Infantry Division, in September 1944 then stationed at Camp Shelby Mississippi. In November 1944 his unit sailed from New York aboard the Marine Panther, a converted tanker. Eleven days later they landed in England where they remained for two months. In January 1945 they departed England for France and, finally on March 12, 1945 they assumed the front lines facing the Siegfried Line from their position at Remscheid Germany. Following two weeks of patrols, the division advanced on the line on February 27, 1945. Lt Fox was platoon leader for the weapons platoon in Company G. The company advanced up a steep hill against the town of Giescheid. Following two hours of combat the town was captured.
Lt Fox reported to the Company command post and was directed to position his platoon so as to gain the best fire advantage for his mortars. Upon returning and placing his weapons, the platoon came under intense and directed artillery fire. Lt Fox took cover in a German dugout recently captured. A freak shell managed to slide under the log covers into the dugout prior to exploding. Lt Fox was mortally wounded, dying the following day. He is buried at the Henri Chappelle American Cemetery in Belgium. His father, who was executive director of the El Paso Chamber of Commerce, carried on extensive correspondence with members of his company seeking insight into his only son’s death.
Lt Chris Peter Fox Jr. was 23 years of age at the time of his death.