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Pvt. John V. Cox Jr. attended Texas A&M University. He enlisted at Camp Wolters, Texas on 29 March 1944.

He trained at Camp Hood and Fort Benning, Georgia, where he completed his paratrooper training on 16 September 1944. He was sent overseas on 1 November 1944.

His unit's objective for 7 January was the town Flamierge and the high ground southwest of it. The attack progressed favorable, 2nd Battalion ordered into interval between 1st and 3rd Battalions. Resistance was from infantry, mortar, and artillery supported by a few self-propelled guns in vicinity of Flamièrge. 1st and 2nd Battalions gained their objectives with medium losses. The 3rd Battalion met increased resistance as they topped the high ground overlooking Flamierge. They were opposed by strong infantry, mortar, self-propelled guns, and a few tanks. By continued pressure and finally, a wild charge down the hill and across the open snow field, they forced their way into the town. They proceeded to clear the town and gain their objective. All objectives of the regiment were gained. All objectives of the remainder of the division were un-obtained, which left the regiment with exposed flanks.

The night of 7-8 January was miserably cold with heavy snowfall. The Germans began a counterattack at 0830, employing 15-20 tanks supported by infantry and artillery. The attack was from two directions. One attack came from the nortwest down the Bastogne Highway into 2nd Battalion, splitting 1st and 2nd Battalions from Flamisoule. These attacks overpowered 1st and 2nd Battalions and forced them to withdraw from positions under direct fire of tanks and self-propelled guns. They withdrew to the woods in the vicinity of the Regimental Command Post in Bois De Fragette. Several attempts at penetration of 3rd Battalion defense of Flamièrge by tanks and infantry were repulsed. The 3rd Battalion remained in Flamierge with orders to hold. The remnants of 1st and 2nd Battalions were organized to defend Bois De Fragette, and salvage and re-equipping began at once. During late afternoon, Division ordered the 3rd Battalion withdrawn. Communications had failed and 3 patrols were sent out to contact the 3rd Battalion (one from 507th and two from 513th). One patrol of the 513th reached the outskirts of Flamierge and found the area occupied by Germans. Thinking Flamierge lost, they returned with their report. Soon after, Lieutenant McGuire arrived at the Command Post from Flamierge saying it was still in our hands and a radio had been repaired. They planned to attempt contact on the half-hour. Contact was made by this means and a message of withdrawal transmitted. They came back with the reply that they had no code facilities. Corporal Gidley then arranged a casual conversation from the Command Post to the Observation Post operator into which the 3rd Battalion was listening. In the conversation, he neatly conveyed the order to withdraw from Flamierge to Monty after 2400, in small groups, leaving aid men and one officer to surrender wounded. The 3rd Battalion rogered and arrived in Monty before daylight. They were ordered into Bois De Fragette to join in the Regimental defense, reorganize, and re-equip.

During this mission Pvt. Cox was reported missing in action and, probably, due to the confusing situation, his remains were never recovered.