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Re: Remembering A BRother and a Hero

From: POW-MIA InterNetwork

Date: June 18, 2003

"World War II vet remembered as a brother and a hero

CARI SCRIBNER , For The Saratogian

BALLSTON SPA - As one of six brothers who volunteered to serve in the wartime, Thomas H. Fox of Malta was the only one who did not return from his tour of duty.

Tuesday afternoon, the World War II rear gunner was remembered by fellow veterans and members of his family. Fox was the June recipient by the Saratoga County Honor-A-Deceased Veteran Committee.

Family members, including brother James Fox and his wife Dione, sisters Shirley Bagnoli of Clifton Park and Jeanne Keniry of Mechanicville, sister-in-law Vickie Fox of Ballston Spa and Vickie's daughter, Debra Baker of Ballston Spa, gathered under brilliant skies for the ceremony.

Of the six Fox brothers - Richard, Robert, Charlie, Tommy, James and Gerald - only James and Gerald are alive. Gerald lives in South Dakota and could not attend the ceremony.

The large family of Richard and Mary Fox also includes five daughters.

"It was sure hectic growing up," Shirley Bagnoli said. "When Tommy went to war, I was 3, and while I don't have a clear memory of him, I do remember well the day our mother received a telegram saying he was missing. She worried terribly about all my brothers going to war."

Thomas Fox served in the U.S. Army Air Corps as a radio man and rear gunner, reaching the rank of technical sergeant in the 50th Reconnaissance Squadron. He was stationed inHickam Field, Hawaii, when Pearl Harbor was attacked on Dec. 7, 1941, and was declared missing in action in June 1943 when his B-17 bomber did not return from a mission in New Guinea.

"I was 10 or 12 when he enlisted," James Fox said. "He taught me how to hunt and fish;we all loved the outdoors. I was in the Air Force, and I can remember how much I wanted to enlist."

Vickie Fox set up an elaborate display of the family's history, with newspaper clippings and even a black-and-white photo of grades one through eight of the Maltaville School in 1936, all 20 or so students.

Malta Supervisor David R. Meager presented family members with proclamations from the County Board of Supervisors.

"Thomas carried out missions on B-17s, known as 'flying fortresses,' delivering bombs to targets behind enemy lines," Meager said. "There were 13 machine guns on board, two in the rear. That's where he was, a tail gunner. Tom's shooting skills were put to good use, and he paid an important role in our country's ultimate victory."

The Fox family accepted on Tom's behalf the New York State Conspicuous Service Medal, a memorial certificate signed by President Bush, and an American flag flown in Washington, D.C.


©The Saratogian 2003 "