Harold Fischer
Harold Edward Fischer | |
---|---|
Las Vegas, Nevada | |
Buried | |
Allegiance | United States |
Service/ | United States Navy United States Army United States Air Force |
Years of service | 1943–1944 (USN) 1949 (USA) 1949–1978 (USAF) |
Rank | Colonel |
Unit | 80th Fighter Bomber Squadron 39th Fighter Interceptor Squadron |
Commands held | Air Force Human Resources Laboratory |
Battles/wars | World War II Korean War Vietnam War |
Awards | Distinguished Service Cross Silver Star Legion of Merit Distinguished Flying Cross (2) Meritorious Service Medal Air Medal (8) |
Colonel Harold Edward Fischer Jr. (May 8, 1925 – April 30, 2009)[1] was a United States Air Force fighter pilot and flying ace of the Korean War. He accrued 11 victories in the war. He is also one of the two flying aces to be Prisoners of War during the war. He was released in 1955 and continued to serve in the USAF until 1978.
Early life
Fischer was born near Lone Rock, Iowa, in a farm on May 8, 1925. As a child, he enjoyed reading magazines about World War I Flying Aces. Fischer attended Iowa State University for two years.
Military service
Fischer enlisted in the
Korean War
Fischer was assigned to the
Serving with the
Prisoner of War
Fischer was taken captive by Chinese military personnel and imprisoned near
After a thwarted escape attempt nine months into his captivity, he was routinely tortured and ultimately admitted to trumped up charges that he had been ordered to enter Manchuria and that he had participated in
After a short mock trial in Beijing on May 24, 1955, Fischer and the other pilots Lt. Col. Edwin L. Heller, 1st Lt. Lyle W. Cameron and 1st Lt. Roland W. Parks — were found guilty of violating Chinese territory by flying across the border while on missions over North Korea. It led to his release in May 1955. Fischer was returned to active service two months later. He spent 784 days in captivity and was released on May 30, 1955, nearly 2 years after the Korean War ended.[5]
Post release
After his release, Fischer received an
His next assignment was as a fighter pilot with the
During the
Fischer served as Vice Commander and then Commander of the
Personal life
Fischer was first married to Dorothy Herron and they had a son named Harold E. Fischer, III. The marriage ended in divorce shortly before he became a
After the couple divorced, he was married to Jean Cramlin. They had no children together and the marriage also ended in divorce.
Later life
Fischer learned that Chinese pilot Han Decai was credited with shooting him down in 1953. Fischer met Decai, when he joined a group of Flying Tiger pilots who had been invited to visit China. He met Decai and presented him with an F-86 model. He later became friends with him.[8][9]
Fischer died on April 30, 2009, in
Awards and decorations
Fischer served for a full 30 years, receiving many decorations, including the Silver Star, two Distinguished Flying Crosses, and the Distinguished Service Cross.
US Air Force Command Pilot Badge | ||
Distinguished Service Cross | ||
Silver Star | Legion of Merit | Distinguished Flying Cross w/ 1 bronze oak leaf cluster |
Meritorious Service Medal | Air Medal w/ 1 silver and 2 bronze oak leaf clusters |
Joint Service Commendation Medal |
Army Commendation Medal | Air Force Presidential Unit Citation w/ 1 bronze oak leaf cluster |
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
|
Prisoner of War Medal | American Campaign Medal | World War II Victory Medal
|
National Defense Service Medal w/ 1 bronze service star |
campaign stars
|
Vietnam Service Medal w/ 2 bronze campaign stars |
Korea Defense Service Medal | Air Force Longevity Service Award w/ 1 silver and 1 bronze oak leaf clusters |
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon
|
Vietnam Air Force Distinguished Service Order (2nd Class) |
Vietnam Cross of Gallantry w/ 1 Silver star |
Vietnam Armed Forces Honor Medal (1st Class) |
Vietnam Air Service Medal (Honor Class) |
Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation
|
Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross
|
United Nations Service Medal for Korea
|
Vietnam Campaign Medal | Korean War Service Medal |
Distinguished Service Cross citation
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Air Force) to Captain Harold Edward Fischer , United States Air Force, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as Pilot of an F-86 aircraft, 39th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 51st Fighter-Interceptor Wing, Fifth Air Force, in action against enemy forces in the Republic of Korea on 16 February 1953. On that date, while leading a flight of two F-86 Sabre Jets on an air superiority mission over North Korea, Captain Fischer sighted a formation of sixteen enemy MIG-15s heading south across the Yalu River. Disregarding the odds against him, he immediately initiated an attack. Although under intense enemy fire, Captain Fischer tenaciously pursued the leading MIG-15 through violent evasive maneuvers until he had destroyed it. Completely disregarding the fact that several enemy aircraft were still firing at him, Captain Fischer skillfully maneuvered his Sabre into firing position on another MIG-15 that was attacking his wingman. Again demonstrating extreme courage and outstanding flying skill, Captain Fischer pressed his attack until the MIG-15 was destroyed. These two victories in the face of counter attacks by such superior numbers unnerved the enemy to the extent that they withdrew into Manchuria before further attacks could be made. By his outstanding heroism, his complete disregard for personal safety and high sense of duty, Captain Fischer reflected great credit upon himself, the Far East Air Forces, and the United States Air Force.[11]
See also
References
- ^ Hevesi, Dennis (May 8, 2009). "Harold E. Fischer Jr., an American Flier Tortured in a Chinese Prison, Dies at 83". The New York Times. Retrieved May 8, 2009.
- ^ "Interview with Harold E. Fischer: Korean War Jet Ace and POW". historynet.com. January 16, 2007. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
- ^ Сейдов, Игорь (2007). "Красные дьяволы в небе Кореи". Archived from the original on February 24, 2012. Retrieved July 10, 2012.
- ^ Davis, Rebekah (May 10, 2009). "Col. Harold E. Fischer Jr., 83". Washington Post. Retrieved 1 November 2016.
- ^ a b c Bergin, Bob (2007-01-16). "Interview with Harold E. Fischer: Korean War Jet Ace and POW". History Net. Retrieved April 18, 2022.
- ^ a b "Korean War ace passes away". af.mil. 2009-05-13. Retrieved April 18, 2022.
- ^ "Harold Fischer Obituary - Las Vegas, NV | Las Vegas Review-Journal". Archived from the original on 2019-01-26.
- ^ Davis, Rebekah (2009-05-25). "Harold E. Fischer Jr. dies at 83; Korean War ace". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved April 18, 2022.
- ^ "The Private Life of a Chinese MiG Pilot". Evergreen. Retrieved April 18, 2022.
- ^ "Harold Fischer Obituary - Las Vegas, NV | Las Vegas Review-Journal". Archived from the original on 2019-01-26.
- ^ "Harold Fischer - Recipient - Military Times Hall Of Valor". valor.militarytimes.com.
External links
- Harold E. Fischer Personal Papers SDASM.SC.10047 .O/S, San Diego Air and Space Museum Library and Archives
- Harold E. Fisher, Jr. (Photo Collection), Flickr, San Diego Air and Space Museum Archives