Senate Concurrent Resolution 586

(As Adopted by Senate and House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION JOINING THE CITIZENS OF CALHOUN COUNTY IN RECOGNIZING THE LEGACY OF GENERAL FOX CONNER OF SLATE SPRINGS, MISSISSIPPI, WHO BECAME ONE OF THE MOST INFLUENTIAL MILITARY LEADERS IN WORLD WAR I, ON THE OCCASION OF THE EVENT HONORING THIS GREAT AMERICAN LEADER ON JANUARY 27, 2017.

WHEREAS, Major General Fox Conner, inducted into the Mississippi Hall of Fame in 1987, never achieved fame outside his chosen profession. He lived quietly and unobtrusively, he never sought publicity, and he died in relative obscurity. Yet in the minds of his fellow soldiers and in the judgment of military historians, Fox Conner was perhaps the most influential officer in the United States Army between World War I and World War II. He was General John J. Pershing's right-hand man in building the American Expeditionary Force (AEF) in World War I. Conner was also a military historian and thinker of great reputation inside the Army. Significantly, he numbered among his protégés two of the greatest American leaders in World War II: George C. Marshall, Army Chief of Staff; and Dwight D. Eisenhower, Supreme Commander of American and British Forces in the European Theater of Operations; and

WHEREAS, Fox Conner was born in Calhoun County, Mississippi, at Slate Springs on November 2, 1874, to Robert H. and Nannie Fox Conner. He was educated in the schools of Calhoun County and at age 19, through the sponsorship of his uncle, Fuller Fox, and Senator Hernando DeSoto Money, he received an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point. When Conner took the Cadet Oath on June 15, 1894, the Tactical Officer at West Point was John J. Pershing. Conner had begun a military career of 44 years that took him from Second Lieutenant to Major General, then the highest permanent rank in the United States Army; and

WHEREAS, in 1911, the Army was using an exchange system. Fox Conner was sent to France as an Exchange Officer. He was assigned to the 22nd Field Artillery of the French Army. In this position, Conner learned a wide range of military tactics and observed the French in drills and maneuvers, and he learned the French language. Upon entering World War I, General Pershing realized that Fox Conner was a true leader who could be instrumental in the United State's victory. Newly appointed Colonel Conner became Chief of Operations for the American Expeditionary Force. Conner's immense education, knowledge and common sense made him a very valuable asset. Because American manufacturers could not supply enough arms, the Americans had to use many French-made weapons. Since Fox had served as a French Officer, he was able to train soldiers in the proper methods of using these arms. Conner also showed skillful tactics in organizing the AEF and he also predicted the German offensive move in the Meuse-Argonne; and

WHEREAS, when World War I ended, Conner was given command over the 20th Infantry Brigade in the Canal Zone of Panama. In 1922, a young Major by the name of Dwight Eisenhower was sent to Panama under Conner's command. General Fox Conner had three Principals or Rules of War that he would give each and every one of his students: (1) never fight unless you have to; (2) never fight alone; and (3) never fight for long; and

WHEREAS, Fox Conner helped other military leaders and was the King of Mentorship for these honored named in American military history: George Patton, George Marshall and Dwight Eisenhower; and

WHEREAS, General Fox Conner had an array of military honors and awards. These are some of his awards: Distinguished Service Medal; Purple Heart; Spanish War Service Medal; Cuban Occupation Medal; Victory Medal; Order of the Bath (Knighthood); French Legion of Honor; Belgian Order of the Crown; and French Croix de Guerre; and

WHEREAS, Fox Conner may not have had the charisma that other military minds have had, and that is probably why we do not hear as much about him; however, if the United State's military would not have had Fox Conner, our military would be very different, and our country would be also:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby join the citizens of Calhoun County in recognizing the legacy of General Fox Conner of Slate Springs, Mississippi, who became one of the most influential military leaders in World War I, on the occasion of the event honoring this great American leader on January 27, 2017.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Calhoun County officials hosting the General Fox Conner event on January 27, 2017, at the Calhoun City High School Auditorium; forwarded to Steve Labalais, who has authored the newly published book on General Fox Conner; forwarded to the Executive Director of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History; and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.