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FReeper Canteen ~ Hall of Heroes: Bernard Fisher ~ 10 January 2022
Serving The Best Troops and Veterans In The World !! | The Canteen Crew

Posted on 01/09/2022 5:01:14 PM PST 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!  



TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; Free Republic
KEYWORDS: canteen; heroes; military; troopsupport
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1 posted on 01/09/2022 5:01:14 PM PST by Kathy in Alaska
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To: Kathy in Alaska; luvie; HiJinx; AZamericonnie; Jet Jaguar; beachn4fun; SandRat; laurenmarlowe; ...

Greetings to all at the Canteen!

To all our military men and women, past and present,


2 posted on 01/09/2022 5:10:11 PM PST by radu (God bless our military men and women, past and present)
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To: Kathy in Alaska

Thank you for keeping this heroes’ stories before us.

May their Memory be Eternal!


3 posted on 01/09/2022 5:10:46 PM PST by lightman (I am a binary Trinitarian. Deal with it!)
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To: Kathy in Alaska

Howdy, Kathy.

I hope your internet is behaving better today!


4 posted on 01/09/2022 5:10:56 PM PST by radu (God bless our military men and women, past and present)
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To: Kathy in Alaska

Heartwarming story. Glad all were OK. He deserved his MOH.


5 posted on 01/09/2022 5:11:04 PM PST by rockinqsranch (Dems, Libs, Socialists Call 'em what you will, they all have fairies livin' in their trees)
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To: Kathy in Alaska

Hi Everybody!

(((HUGS)))


6 posted on 01/09/2022 5:12:35 PM PST by left that other site (A Man Without Self-Control is like a City Broken Into and Left Without Walls (Proverbs 25:28))
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To: Kathy in Alaska

Freep mail me to be on or off the Daily Bread ping list


Monday,
January 10, 2022
Etch A Sketch Forgiveness
Read: Psalm 103:7–13

As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. Psalm 103:12

The little red rectangular box was magical. As a kid, I could play with it for hours. When I turned one knob on the box, I could create a horizontal line on its screen. Turn the other knob and voila—a vertical line. When I turned the knobs together, I could make diagonal lines, circles, and creative designs. But the real magic came when I turned my Etch A Sketch toy upside down, shook it a little and turned it right side up. A blank screen appeared, offering me the opportunity to create a new design.

God’s forgiveness works much like that Etch A Sketch. He wipes away our sins, creating a clean canvas for us. Even if we remember wrongs we committed, God chooses to forgive and forget. He’s wiped them out and doesn’t hold our sins against us. He doesn’t treat us according to our sinful actions (Psalm 103:10) but extends grace through forgiveness. We have a clean slate—a new life awaiting us when we seek God’s forgiveness. We can be rid of guilt and shame because of His amazing gift to us.

The psalmist reminds us that our sins have been separated from us as far as the east is separated from the west (v. 12). That’s as far away as you can get! In God’s eyes, our sins no longer cling to us like a scarlet letter or a bad drawing. That’s reason to rejoice and to thank God for His amazing grace and mercy.Katara Patton

Why do you think God chooses to not treat you as your actions might deserve? How can you thank Him for separating your sins from you?

Loving God, thank You for forgiveness. Remind me that You no longer remember my sins.

Read The Forgiveness of God.

Bible in a year: Genesis 25–26; Matthew 8:1–17


7 posted on 01/09/2022 5:19:52 PM PST by The Mayor (“Love the Lord your God,” and “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37–39))
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To: radu

Good evening, radu....you were quick! Are you emerging from the deep freeze yet?

We have just barely made it to double digits above.


8 posted on 01/09/2022 5:21:25 PM PST by Kathy in Alaska ((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
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To: Kathy in Alaska

Yes, we had another day of mid 50s today but it rained all day. Now the rain has moved on and a cold front is moving in. A couple of days with highs in the 40s, then 50s for the next few days. For January, I’m not complaining!

I saw that you made it into double-digit temps this afternoon. The wind still makes it miserable outside, I’ll bet. BRRRRR


9 posted on 01/09/2022 5:30:14 PM PST by radu (God bless our military men and women, past and present)
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To: MoJo2001; 007; 1 FELLOW FREEPER; 11B3; 1FreeAmerican; 1stbn27; 2111USMC; 2LT Radix jr; 300winmag; ..

~ Hall of Heroes: Bernard F Fisher ~

FR CANTEEN MISSION STATEMENT

Showing support and boosting the morale of
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and the family members of the above.
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To every service man or woman reading this thread.
Thank You for your service to our country.
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Know that we are proud of each and everyone of you.

To our military readers, we remain steadfast
in keeping the Canteen doors open.

The FR Canteen is Free Republic's longest running daily thread
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The doors have been open since Oct 7 2001,
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We are indebted to you for your sacrifices for our Freedom.



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10 posted on 01/09/2022 5:39:00 PM PST by Kathy in Alaska ((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
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To: Kathy in Alaska
~ Good Evening ~

Music-Notes~ Go Hawks - Beat The Cardinals Today! ~

dog thankyou 1

Hugs2 You 1 zps9409c58b

Hai_Kathy-vi_zps57be83d2
~ Good Evening ~

funny picdump 491 640 40

airbus frontier 321
~ Welcome To My World ~

My_World

dancingfrog

No Friday

I’m Down There Somewhere

Frontier_Flights_All

11 posted on 01/09/2022 5:41:51 PM PST by SkyDancer ( I make airplanes fly, what's your super power?)
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To: radu

I just turned it on for the thread, and the ping just took 15 minutes. Hopefully, now that I am past the “big” one, maybe it will do better.

This post is normal!


12 posted on 01/09/2022 5:41:52 PM PST by Kathy in Alaska ((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
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To: Kathy in Alaska

Evening, Kathy!


13 posted on 01/09/2022 5:41:56 PM PST by MoochPooch (I'm a compassionate cynic.)
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To: Kathy in Alaska

Keeping all appendages crossed for luck!


14 posted on 01/09/2022 5:53:43 PM PST by radu (God bless our military men and women, past and present)
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To: Kathy in Alaska

good on this guy and all the heroes...dunkirk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oStrm6Le2j8


15 posted on 01/09/2022 6:31:53 PM PST by mylife (You believe that ? Cuz you don't believe me? Unbelievable!)
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To: lightman

Good evening, lightman...it is so important that we remember them.

Thanks for helping.


16 posted on 01/09/2022 6:39:07 PM PST by Kathy in Alaska ((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
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To: Kathy in Alaska

the ping just took 15 minutes.

damned Russians!


17 posted on 01/09/2022 6:39:41 PM PST by mylife (You believe that ? Cuz you don't believe me? Unbelievable!)
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To: radu

Still acting up, but not as bad. *sigh*


18 posted on 01/09/2022 6:44:41 PM PST by Kathy in Alaska ((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
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reglar guys


19 posted on 01/09/2022 6:46:11 PM PST by mylife (You believe that ? Cuz you don't believe me? Unbelievable!)
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To: rockinqsranch

Good evening, rockinqsranch...he sure did deserve it!!


20 posted on 01/09/2022 6:47:48 PM PST by Kathy in Alaska ((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
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