Bernard Francis Fisher

Infobox Military Person
name= Bernard Francis Fisher
born= Birth date and age|1927|1|11
died=
placeofbirth= San Bernardino, California
placeofdeath=
placeofburial=


caption=
nickname= Bernie
allegiance=flag|United States of America
branch= air force|United States
serviceyears= 1951–1974
rank= Colonel
commands=
unit= 1st Air Commando Squadron
battles= Vietnam War
awards= Medal of Honor Silver Star Bronze Star Air Medal
laterwork=

Col. Bernard F. Fisher, ret. (pronounced "Bernerd") (born 1927) is the first living US Air Force recipient of the Medal of Honor. Moreover, he was the first USAF member to receive the medal as a result of an act of heroism during the Vietnam War without being killed in action.

Biography

Born in 1927 in San Bernardino, California was raised and educated in Utah, calling Clearfield home. Fisher served briefly in the Navy at the end of World War II, enrolled at Boise State Junior College in 1947, and transferred to the University of Utah in Salt Lake City in 1949. From 1947 to 1950, Fisher was a member of the Air National Guard. Before Fisher was able to complete his undergraduate degree at the U, he was commissioned into the Air Force in 1951. After pilot training, Bernie Fisher served as a jet fighter pilot in the Air Defense Command until 1965, when he volunteered for duty in Vietnam. From July 1965 through June 1966, he flew 200 combat sorties in the A-1E/H "Spad" as a member of the 1st Air Commando Squadron located at Pleiku Air Base, South Vietnam.

On March 10, 1966, he led a two-ship element of Skyraiders to the A Shau Valley to support troops in contact with the enemy. Six "Spads" were striking numerous emplacements when the A-1 piloted by Major D. W. "Jump" Myers was hit and forced to crash-land on the airstrip of the CIDG-Special Forces camp. Myers bellied in on the 2,500-foot runway and took cover behind an embankment on the edge of the strip while Fisher directed the rescue effort. Since the closest helicopter was 30 minutes away and the enemy was only 200 yards from Myers, Fisher quickly decided to land his two-seat A-1E on the strip and pick up his friend. Under the cover provided by the other A-1s, he landed in the valley, taxied to Myer's position, and loaded the downed airman into the empty seat. Dodging shell holes and debris on the steel-planked runway, Major Fisher took off safely despite many hits on his aircraft by small-arms fire.

Fisher had earned a Silver Star the day before while flying support for the same battle. [1]

Fisher returned to the United States, and, on January 19, 1967, he was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Lyndon B. Johnson. Fisher returned to the Air Defense Command and jet interceptors until he retired to his hometown of Kuna, Idaho, where he lived with his wife Realla until her death on April 27, 2008.

He is a member of the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. [ [http://famousmormons.net/military.html Famous Mormons in the Military ] ]

He is the namesake of Colonel Bernard Fisher Veteran's Memorial Park, in Kuna; Fisher Park, in Clearfield, Utah; the Bernard Fisher Highway, a portion of State Highway 193 that passes near Hill Air Force Base, Utah; and the Bernard F. Fisher Room, located at the 353d Special Operations Group at Kadena Air Base, Japan, and displaying military memorabillia for special operations. In 1999, a Military Sealift vessel, the MV Maj Bernard F Fisher (T-AK 396) was named for him.

The A-1 Skyraider that Fisher flew into the A Shau Valley was saved and restored and is on display at the National Museum of the United States Air Force.

Fisher's son, Steven, is also a pilot in the USAF. He holds the rank of Major, and flies the KC-135.

In 1985 and again in 2005, Fisher was inducted into the Gathering of Eagles program and told the story of the rescue during the Battle of A Shau to groups of young military officers. [ [http://www.maxwell.af.mil/au/goe/eagle_bios/2005/fisher_2005.asp Fisher Gathering of Eagles 2005 Biography] Retrieved June 3, 2008.]

On May 3, 2008, Fisher received his diploma from the University of Utah, 57 years after attending classes. Fisher was officially recognized for his past academic achievements and a decorated military career. [ [http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123097650 Medal of Honor recipient receives diploma] Retrieved May 8, 2008 ]

Medal of Honor citation

Citation:

:For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. On that date, the Special Forces camp at A Shau was under attack by 2,000 North Vietnamese Army regulars. Hostile troops had positioned themselves between the airstrip and the camp. Other hostile troops had surrounded the camp and were continuously raking it with automatic weapons fire from the surrounding hills. The tops of the 1,500-foot hills were obscured by an 800 foot ceiling, limiting aircraft maneuverability and forcing pilots to operate within range of hostile gun positions, which often were able to fire down on the attacking aircraft. During the battle, Maj. Fisher observed a fellow airman crash land on the battle-torn airstrip. In the belief that the downed pilot was seriously injured and in imminent danger of capture, Maj. Fisher announced his intention to land on the airstrip to effect a rescue. Although aware of the extreme danger and likely failure of such an attempt, he elected to continue. Directing his own air cover, he landed his aircraft and taxied almost the full length of the runway, which was littered with battle debris and parts of an exploded aircraft. While effecting a successful rescue of the downed pilot, heavy ground fire was observed, with 19 bullets striking his aircraft. In the face of the withering ground fire, he applied power and gained enough speed to lift-off at the overrun of the airstrip. Maj. Fisher's profound concern for his fellow airman, and at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty are in the highest traditions of the U.S. Air Force and reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of his country.

ee also

*List of Medal of Honor recipients
*List of Medal of Honor recipients for the Vietnam War

References

Further reading

*Fisher, Bernard. "Beyond the Call of Duty: The Story of an American Hero." Shadow Mountain. February 1, 2004

External links

*Article taken from "USAF People" a monthly feature of the [http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil USAF Museum Web site] .
* [http://skyraider.org/skyassn/fisher/fishermoh.htm Major Bernard F. Fisher, USAF – Medal of Honor Mission – March 10, 1966] , skyraider.org.
* [http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ship/docs/b10051999_bt465-99.htm "Secretary of the Navy announced the name of newly chartered Sealift ship for U.S. Air Force hero"] , News Release No. 465-99, Department of Defense, October 5, 1999. (announcement of Commission of Naval Ship]
* [http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=1083 Air Force Factsheet] with some photos.
* [http://www.msc.navy.mil/inventory/pics/bffisher.jpgShip Photo]
* [http://www.medalofhonor.com/BernardFisher.htm Bernard Francis Fisher, Medal of Honor recipient] , MedalofHonor.com.
*cite web |author=Doty, Steven R. |title=Medal of Honor recipient visits Kunsan |date=2008-02-27 |url=http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123087951 |publisher=Air Force Link |accessdate=2008-02-28
*cite web |author=Correll, John T. |title=Into the Valley of Fire |month=October | year=2004 |url=http://www.afa.org/magazine/oct2004/1004valley.asp |publisher=Air Force Magazine Online |accessdate=2008-03-04

Persondata
NAME= Fisher, Bernard Francis
ALTERNATIVE NAMES=
SHORT DESCRIPTION= United States Air Force Medal of Honor recipient
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