On December 26, 1944, 1st Lt. John R. Fox was a Forward Observer of the 366th IR/ 92nd Div (Buffalo Soldiers) in the village of Sommocolonia, Italy. On Christmas night, enemy soldiers gradually infiltrated the town of Sommocolonia in civilian clothes, and by early morning the town was largely in hostile hands. Commencing with a heavy barrage of enemy artillery at 0400 hours, an organized attack by uniformed German units began. Being greatly outnumbered, most of the US Infantry forces were forced to withdraw from the town, but 1st Lieutenant Fox voluntarily remained on the second floor of a house to direct defensive artillery fire.
At 0800 hours, Fox reported that the Germans were in the streets and attacking in strength. He then called for defensive artillery fire to slow the enemy advance. As the Germans continued to press the attack towards the area that Fox occupied, he adjusted the artillery fire closer to his position. Finally he was warned that the next adjustment would bring the deadly artillery right on top of his position.
Fox simply replied: "FIRE IT"
Later, when American forces retook the position from the Germans, Fox's body was found with the bodies of approximately 100 German soldiers.
1st Lt. Fox was posthumously awarded the MOH in 1997 after an investigation revealed that many African Americans during the war, were denied consideration of awards due to their race.
After the war the citizens of Sommocolonia erected a monument to nine men who were killed during the artillery barrage - eight Italian soldiers, and 1st Lt. Fox. #ww2 #hardcore #stayzero #zerofoxtrot