BERNARD FRANCIS FISHER

'Col. Bernard F. Fisher, ret.' (pronounced ''Bernerd'') (born 1927) is the first living US Air Force recipient of the Medal of Honor. Moreover, he is the first living USAF member to receive the medal as a result of an act of heroism during the Vietnam War.
Born in 1927, the native of Idaho served briefly in the Navy at the end of World War II and then spent the period from 1947 to 1950 in the Air National Guard before receiving his Air Force commission 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 of Skyraiders to the A Shau Valley in support of friendly troops in contact with the enemy. A total of 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 Major 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.
The citation describes the event,

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.

It is noteworthy that Maj. Fisher earned a Silver Star the day before while flying support for the same battle.^[1]
Major Fisher returned to the United States, and, on January 19, 1967, he was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Lyndon B. Johnson. Major Bernie Fisher returned to the Air Defense Command and jet interceptors until he retired to his hometown of Kuna, Idaho, where he lives today with his wife Realla.
Colonel Bernard Fisher Veteran's Memorial Park, in Kuna, was named after Bernie.
The A-1 Skyraider that Major 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.
Colonel Fisher's son, Steven is also a pilot in the USAF. He holds the rank of Major, and flies the KC-135.

Contents

References

External links

References

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

★ Article taken from ''USAF People'' a monthly feature of the USAF Museum Web site.

★ Bernard Francis Fisher, Medal of Honor recipient, MedalofHonor.com.

External links

★ Major Bernard F. Fisher, USAF – Medal of Honor Mission – 10 March 1966, skyraider.org.

★ "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]

★ Air Force Factsheet with some photos.

★ Ship Photo