Senator Marcellino Presents State’s Highest Military Honor To WWII Vet

Senator Carl L. Marcellino today presented the New York State Conspicuous Service Cross, the State’s highest Military honor to WWII Veteran Louis John Fox, 82, of Huntington Station. As an Aviation Machinist Mate in the U.S. Navy, Mr. Fox was part of reconnaissance missions from Tinian Island to Japan. The Enola Gay, which carried the atomic bomb to Hiroshima, started its long and historic flight on August 6, 1945 from Tinian Island.

"Mr. Fox served our nation honorably and bravely. When our nation was at war, he answered the call to duty without hesitation. Like all the men and women who have taken up arms to secure and defend our homeland he demonstrated time and again his courage, heroism and commitment to defending our freedoms. He and all Veterans are an inspiration and deserve our lasting respect and recognition," said Senator Marcellino. "It’s an honor to present the New York State Conspicuous Service Cross to Mr. Fox."

The Conspicuous Service Cross is awarded only to New York State residents whose service was honorable and who have received other military decorations or citations, were a prisoner of war, served at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, directly participated in the D-Day invasion of Normandy or have been declared killed or missing in action by the Department of Defense. Mr. Fox is eligible for the Conspicuous Service Cross since he was awarded an Air Medal for his military service between July 30, 1945 and August 11, 1945.

Mr. Fox was born on May 22, 1925 and was raised in Great Neck. He enlisted in the US Navy on May 26, 1943. During his service he was decorated with the Victory Medal, American Theater Medal, Asiatic Pacific Medal 1 Star, Combat Air Crewman Insignia 1 Star, and the Air Medal. He was issued a Notice of Separation from U.S. Naval Service on April 17, 1946. He currently lives with his wife Jean in Huntington Station.

Mr. Fox has memorabilia from his service years and some photos of himself and his fellow crew members in front of aircraft that had been stripped of their names to avoid identification - a common practice for aircraft stationed on Tinian Island. He reminisced about his squadron that routinely conducted search and long-range reconnaissance missions, providing weather reports for B-29 bombers and daytime air-sea rescue patrols for fellow U.S. military men in need.

The actions by those U.S. service personnel based on Tinian Island helped the United States military begin the end of the Second World War.

"Our nation and the freedoms we enjoy, is built upon the sacrifices of the men and women who have served our country. Mr Fox made those sacrifices, and I am honored to recognize his service," concluded Senator Marcellino.