Medal of Honor recipient Col. Wesley Fox will be the guest speaker for the Charles H. Coolidge Medal of Honor Heritage Center’s annual fundraiser and awards banquet on Saturday, April 23. The event is scheduled from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Chattanooga Convention Center, 1150 Carter St. Jed Mescon will be master of ceremonies.
Born in 1931 near Herndon, Va., Fox enlisted in the Marines in 1950 and served with the 1st Marine Division in the Korean War. He was with the 5th Marines when he was wounded in action in Korea in 1951.
Following a number of peacetime assignments, he was commissioned a second lieutenant in 1966 and served as an infantry battalion adviser in Vietnam. He served with the 9th Marines in 1968-69 and was wounded three times while engaged with the enemy.
It was during his second Vietnam tour, while commander of Company A, 1st Battalion, 9th Marines, that he earned the Medal of Honor, awarded by President Richard Nixon in 1971.
His last active-duty assignment was as commanding officer of Officer Candidate School in Quantico, Va. He retired from active duty in 1993.
Tickets to the dinner are $75. To reserve seating, call Jim Wade, executive director, at 423-304-9834.