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FReeper Canteen ~ Hall of Heroes: Bernard F. Fisher ~ September 8, 2014
Serving The Best Troops and Veterans In The World !! | StarCMC

Posted on 09/07/2014 5:00:26 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska

 

Our Troops Rock!  Thank you for all you do!
For the freedom you enjoyed yesterday...
Thank the Veterans who served
in The United States Armed Forces.
 
Looking forward to tomorrow's freedom? Support The United States
Armed Forces Today!
 
 

~ Hall of Heroes ~
 

Bernard F. Fisher


Info from here.

 

ArmyPatch small   Marine small   Air Force Seal   Air Force   Coast Guard Seal small (better)

Bernard Francis "Bernie" Fisher (pronounced Bernerd) (January 11, 1927 – August 16, 2014) was a retired United States Air Force officer and a recipient of the U.S. military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor. He was the first USAF member to receive the medal in the Vietnam War.

Born in 1927 in San Bernardino, California, Fisher was raised and educated in Utah, calling Clearfield home. He 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. He was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

From 1947 to 1950, Fisher was a member of the Air National Guard. Before he was able to complete his undergraduate degree at the University of Utah, he was commissioned into the Air Force in 1951. After pilot training, he 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" Skyraider 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 a 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 (180 m) 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, Fisher took off safely despite many hits on his aircraft by small-arms fire.

The rescue at A Shau was similar to an event that occurred on August 4, 1944 during World War II. On that date, Captain Richard "Dick" Willsie's P-38 was damaged by flak near Ploieşti, Romania. After both engines failed, Willsie crash-landed but was rescued from capture when Flight Officer Dick Andrews landed his P-38 on the field, squeezed Willsie into the cockpit, and flew back to base. By remarkable coincidence, both Willsie and Andrews were also involved in the A Shau rescue. Willsie was the commanding officer of the 602nd Air Commando Squadron to which Myers was assigned, and Andrews flew top cover during the entire rescue.

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

Fisher returned to the United States, and, on January 19, 1967, was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Lyndon B. Johnson.

Fisher returned to the Air Defense Command and flew 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 died on August 16, 2014


Fisher's official Medal of Honor citation reads:

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.


Other honors

Fisher is the namesake of Colonel Bernard Fisher Veterans Memorial Park in Kuna; Fisher Park in Clearfield, Utah; the Bernard Fisher Highway, a portion of Utah State Route 193 that passes near Hill Air Force Base; and the Bernard F. Fisher Room, located at the 353d Special Operations Group at Kadena Air Base, Japan, and displaying special operations memorabilia. In 1999, a Military Sealift Command vessel, the MV Maj. Bernard F. Fisher (T-AK-4396) was named for him. In 2010 the Boise Rescue Mission started a homeless veterans transitional living program. With permission from Col. Fisher, the Motto of the program is Colonel Fisher's famous quote after he rescued his comrade: "When a man is down, you don't leave him there." The statement is on the wall of the entrance to the living quarters of the River of Life Mission in Boise.

Fisher's damaged A-1E The A-1 Skyraider (AF Ser. No. 52-132649) 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 at Wright-Patterson AFB in Dayton, Ohio.

Please remember the Canteen is here to honor, support and entertain our troops and their families.  This is a politics-free zone!  Thanks for helping us in our mission!  



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To: PROCON

Good morning Pro ((HUGS))

Yeah, yeah, rub it in...I’m telling hubby. hehe
His college teams all lost and the Redskins too.

Have you set a date for the move?

Have a marvelicious Monday.


61 posted on 09/08/2014 6:12:42 AM PDT by beachn4fun (Guns are not the problem. People are. Forget the magazine...check your attitude.)
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To: Arrowhead1952

Good morning dear ((HUGS))

Starting to get into the crazy mode here...hate those kind of Mondays. I like to ease into the workweek.

Hope you get the rain.


62 posted on 09/08/2014 6:41:35 AM PDT by beachn4fun (Guns are not the problem. People are. Forget the magazine...check your attitude.)
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To: beachn4fun

Good morning and (((HUGS))). We had a busy weekend at work. 100% inventory with about 25 people from HQ going through the store from front to back. We did OK for our size store and glad that is over.


63 posted on 09/08/2014 6:53:52 AM PDT by Arrowhead1952 (Guns are like parachutes. If you need one and don't have one, you'll probably never need one again.)
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To: Kathy in Alaska; y'all; Arrowhead1952; beachn4fun; E.G.C.; GodBlessUSA; ConorMacNessa; HiJinx; ...

Gooood Monday Morning, Early Birds!
I'm cheery because I'm off today! LOL!
It's time for a tea/coffee party!
One lump or two?
It rained and was in the 70s all weekend!
PERFECT weather!
Back to 98 on Wednesday....
....or maybe they're wrong?
I hope so. I could get used to cool!
Y'all have a GREAT day...
...and it'll be over before ya know it!
((((hugs))))

64 posted on 09/08/2014 7:05:01 AM PDT by luvie (All my heroes wear camos! Thank you David, Michael, Chris Txradioguy, JJ, CMS, & ALL Vets, too!l)
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To: tomkow6

Merning, Tom!
My goats are blinded by your light. Kinda flashy for a Burka - ya think?
65 posted on 09/08/2014 7:28:39 AM PDT by Soaring Feather ( My life is a paragraph.)
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To: LUV W

((HUGS))Good Monday morning, LUV W. How’s it going?


66 posted on 09/08/2014 7:30:56 AM PDT by E.G.C.
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To: beachn4fun
Merning, Beachy.

67 posted on 09/08/2014 7:41:46 AM PDT by Soaring Feather ( My life is a paragraph.)
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To: Kathy in Alaska
LOL! "Do you have a treat for him each day now?"

Just the nectar which he does not drink. Came around this morning with a dip. Good to still have them around, it is getting dang cold here nights.
68 posted on 09/08/2014 8:00:33 AM PDT by Soaring Feather ( My life is a paragraph.)
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To: Kathy in Alaska

Good morning, Kathy...((HUGS))...She’s doing better than her 3yr old cousin Nate.


69 posted on 09/08/2014 8:12:52 AM PDT by SandRat (Duty - Honor - Country! What else needs said?)
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To: Soaring Feather

That’s my NEW line of burkas for going to the disco!


70 posted on 09/08/2014 8:31:57 AM PDT by tomkow6 (...................TOMKOW6 ! The ONLY voice of reason & sanity in a chaotic Canteen!...............)
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To: LUV W; Kathy in Alaska

71 posted on 09/08/2014 9:00:37 AM PDT by SandRat (Duty - Honor - Country! What else needs said?)
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To: tomkow6

Lovely, just lovely. I’m sure you’ll stand out, just make sure you don’t smell.


72 posted on 09/08/2014 9:07:16 AM PDT by Soaring Feather ( My life is a paragraph.)
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To: E.G.C.

Howdy EGC! All is well. A day off makes it all good! (((Hugs)))


73 posted on 09/08/2014 9:16:58 AM PDT by luvie (All my heroes wear camos! Thank you David, Michael, Chris Txradioguy, JJ, CMS, & ALL Vets, too!l)
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To: LUV W

Good morning LUV and (((HUGS))). I came in to cool off a bit.


74 posted on 09/08/2014 9:38:17 AM PDT by Arrowhead1952 (Guns are like parachutes. If you need one and don't have one, you'll probably never need one again.)
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To: Soaring Feather

Would you like one for free? I’ll send one of my “kitty-cats” over with it!!!


75 posted on 09/08/2014 11:37:33 AM PDT by tomkow6 (...................TOMKOW6 ! The ONLY voice of reason & sanity in a chaotic Canteen!...............)
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To: Kathy in Alaska

It’s Raining and Thundering.


76 posted on 09/08/2014 1:23:53 PM PDT by SandRat (Duty - Honor - Country! What else needs said?)
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To: SandRat

Is it a Maddi Monday? Thunder ok with her? God is bowling? (my childhood)


77 posted on 09/08/2014 1:27:54 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska ((~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
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To: Kathy in Alaska

Today is not a Maddi Monday. I think we may have her Tomorrow.


78 posted on 09/08/2014 1:29:48 PM PDT by SandRat (Duty - Honor - Country! What else needs said?)
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To: E.G.C.

Good afternoon, E...((HUGS))

Did you get some of the rain that Texas got?


79 posted on 09/08/2014 1:34:52 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska ((~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
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To: beachn4fun
Hope you had a good Monday, beachy...((HUGS))


80 posted on 09/08/2014 1:41:50 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska ((~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
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