

Rank
and organization:
Major, U.S. Air Force, 1st Air Commandos. Place
and date: Bien
Hoa and Pleiku, Vietnam, 10 March 1966. Entered service at: Kuna,
Idaho. Born: 11 January 1927, San Bernardino, Calif. 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.