Hurlburt Field in Okaloosa County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Major Bernard Francis Fisher
1st Air Commando Squadron
Photographed By Mark Hilton, November 17, 2016
1. Major Bernard Francis Fisher Marker
Inscription.
Major Bernard Francis Fisher. 1st Air Commando Squadron. Major Fisher was an A-1E pilot at A Shau, South Vietnam on 10 March 1966. The Special Forces camp was attacked by 2,000 North Vietnamese Army Regulars. Tops of 1,500-foot hills were obscured by an 800-foot ceiling, limiting maneuverability and forcing pilots to operate within easy range of hostile guns. During the battle, Major Fisher observed a fellow airman crash-land on the damaged airstrip. He believed the downed pilot was seriously injured and faced capture. Although aware of the extreme danger and likely failure, he landed, taxied the length of the runway littered with battle debris, and effected the rescue. Still facing withering ground fire, he applied power and barely achieved take-off in his badly damaged aircraft. Major Fisher was presented the Medal of Honor by President Johnson on 19 March 1967, becoming the first Air Force recipient of honor in Vietnam.
Major Fisher was an A-1E pilot at A Shau, South Vietnam on 10 March 1966. The Special Forces camp was attacked by 2,000 North Vietnamese Army Regulars. Tops of 1,500-foot hills were obscured by an 800-foot ceiling, limiting maneuverability and forcing pilots to operate within easy range of hostile guns. During the battle, Major Fisher observed a fellow airman crash-land on the damaged airstrip. He believed the downed pilot was seriously injured and faced capture. Although aware of the extreme danger and likely failure, he landed, taxied the length of the runway littered with battle debris, and effected the rescue. Still facing withering ground fire, he applied power and barely achieved take-off in his badly
damaged aircraft. Major Fisher was presented the Medal of Honor by President Johnson on 19 March 1967, becoming the first Air Force recipient of honor in Vietnam.
Erected by the Hurlburt Field Memorial Air Park Council.
W. Marker is in Hurlburt Field, Florida, in Okaloosa County. Memorial can be reached from Oneal Avenue. Located at the Hurlburt Field Memorial Air Park and access to the base is restricted. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 315 Independence Road, Hurlburt Field FL 32544, United States of America. Touch for directions.
2. Major Bernard Francis Fisher Marker and A-1E aircraft.
Marker is the one second from right.
Photographed By Mark Hilton, November 17, 2016
3. Markers and A-1E Skyraider aircraft.
Public Domain
4. Major Bernard Francis Fisher with Medal of Honor.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 23, 2016. It was originally submitted on November 20, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 327 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 20, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.
