DaJudge
May 8th, 2008, 05:01 PM
Medal of Honor recipient receives diploma
by Senior Airman Brok McCarthy
75th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
SALT LAKE CITY (AFRNS) -- Don't let the education office fool you; there are some
people out there who have become commissioned officers without having their
bachelor's degrees.
Retired Col. Bernard Francis Fisher, a Medal of Honor recipient, received his diploma in
fine arts from the University of Utah during a commissioning ceremony of nine second
lieutenants from ROTC Det. 850 on May 3, almost 57 years after he originally attended
the university.
Colonel Fisher received the diploma for his remarkable career in the Air Force, bravery in
combat, numerous awards including the Medal of Honor, and faithful service to country,
said J. Steven Ott, the dean of the College of Social and Behavioral Science and the
diploma presenter. Mr. Ott presented the diploma on behalf of the university's president,
Michael Young.
"The University of Utah is extremely proud to call and claim (Colonel Fisher) as one of
its own," Mr. Ott said.
When asked how it felt to finally receive his degree after so many years, Colonel Fisher
said, "It's simply amazing. I didn't think I was ever going to get my diploma. I'm very
proud to have it."
Also during the commissioning ceremony, the ROTC detachment officials presented the
first Col. Bernard F. Fisher Leadership Award to its top graduating cadet as well as the
Detachment 850 Distinguished Alumnus Award to Colonel Fisher.
Colonel Fisher was awarded the Medal of Honor for personal action above and beyond
the call of duty by risking his life to save a fellow pilot who was shot down during action
in the A Shau Valley of Vietnam in 1966.
During the battle, then-Major Fisher landed his Douglas A-1E Skyraider on an airfield
controlled by the enemy under intense ground fire, pulled the downed pilot from the
wreckage and took him aboard his aircraft, successfully escaping despite several
bullets striking the plane. The aircraft Colonel Fisher was flying that day is displayed at
the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.
He also had experience in such fighters as the F-80 Shooting Star, F-86 Sabre, and F-
101 Voodoo, along with hundreds of close-air-support missions in the A-1E.
Born in San Bernardino, Calif., Colonel Fisher was raised and educated in Utah, calling
Clearfield home, though he now lives in Kuna, Idaho. He was the first living Air Force
recipient of the Medal of Honor and the first of 12 Air Force members to receive the
medal from Vietnam.
He was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Lyndon B. Johnson on Jan. 19, 1967.
(Courtesy of Air Force Print News)
http://www.medalofhonor.com/BernardFisher.jpg
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.
by Senior Airman Brok McCarthy
75th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
SALT LAKE CITY (AFRNS) -- Don't let the education office fool you; there are some
people out there who have become commissioned officers without having their
bachelor's degrees.
Retired Col. Bernard Francis Fisher, a Medal of Honor recipient, received his diploma in
fine arts from the University of Utah during a commissioning ceremony of nine second
lieutenants from ROTC Det. 850 on May 3, almost 57 years after he originally attended
the university.
Colonel Fisher received the diploma for his remarkable career in the Air Force, bravery in
combat, numerous awards including the Medal of Honor, and faithful service to country,
said J. Steven Ott, the dean of the College of Social and Behavioral Science and the
diploma presenter. Mr. Ott presented the diploma on behalf of the university's president,
Michael Young.
"The University of Utah is extremely proud to call and claim (Colonel Fisher) as one of
its own," Mr. Ott said.
When asked how it felt to finally receive his degree after so many years, Colonel Fisher
said, "It's simply amazing. I didn't think I was ever going to get my diploma. I'm very
proud to have it."
Also during the commissioning ceremony, the ROTC detachment officials presented the
first Col. Bernard F. Fisher Leadership Award to its top graduating cadet as well as the
Detachment 850 Distinguished Alumnus Award to Colonel Fisher.
Colonel Fisher was awarded the Medal of Honor for personal action above and beyond
the call of duty by risking his life to save a fellow pilot who was shot down during action
in the A Shau Valley of Vietnam in 1966.
During the battle, then-Major Fisher landed his Douglas A-1E Skyraider on an airfield
controlled by the enemy under intense ground fire, pulled the downed pilot from the
wreckage and took him aboard his aircraft, successfully escaping despite several
bullets striking the plane. The aircraft Colonel Fisher was flying that day is displayed at
the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.
He also had experience in such fighters as the F-80 Shooting Star, F-86 Sabre, and F-
101 Voodoo, along with hundreds of close-air-support missions in the A-1E.
Born in San Bernardino, Calif., Colonel Fisher was raised and educated in Utah, calling
Clearfield home, though he now lives in Kuna, Idaho. He was the first living Air Force
recipient of the Medal of Honor and the first of 12 Air Force members to receive the
medal from Vietnam.
He was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Lyndon B. Johnson on Jan. 19, 1967.
(Courtesy of Air Force Print News)
http://www.medalofhonor.com/BernardFisher.jpg
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.