Medal of Honor recipient receives diploma

5/7/2008 - SALT LAKE CITY (AFPN) -- 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 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.

Citation to accompany the award of Medal of Honor:

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.

I have a print I obtained in SOS of several aircraft that were flown by MOH recipients. Each AC is signed (real signature) by the MOH recipient associated with each aircraft. Bernard Fisher is one of the signatures on that print. When I was a boy in Germany (my Dad was Army) I got to meet then Major Fisher in person when he came to visit our Boy Scout Troop. I’ll always remember that day!

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