Medal of Honor: Bernard Francis Fisher – U.S. Air Force – Vietnam War

Name: Bernard Francis Fisher
Rank: Major
Branch: U.S. Air Force
Unit: 1st Air Commandos
Aircraft: A-1E Skyraider
Place: Bien Hoa and Pleiku, Republic of Vietnam
Entered Service At: Kuna, Idaho
Born: 11 January 1927, San Bernardino, California

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Summary of Action

On March 10, 1966, the Special Forces camp at A Shau was under attack by nearly 2,000 North Vietnamese Army soldiers.

Enemy forces had surrounded the camp and positioned themselves between the airstrip and the defenders. Automatic weapons fire raked the airfield while hostile troops held the surrounding hills.

Low clouds and poor visibility forced American aircraft to operate dangerously close to enemy gun positions.

During the battle, Major Bernard Francis Fisher witnessed a fellow pilot crash land on the battered airstrip.

The downed pilot was alone on the runway and in imminent danger of being captured or killed by advancing enemy forces.

Without hesitation, Fisher announced his intention to land and rescue him.

Despite knowing the airstrip was covered by enemy fire and littered with wreckage from destroyed aircraft, he committed to the attempt.

Directing his own air cover, Fisher brought his A-1E Skyraider down onto the battle-damaged runway and taxied almost the entire length of the strip.

Under intense ground fire, he reached the stranded pilot and pulled him aboard.

Enemy bullets tore into the aircraft—nineteen rounds struck the plane as he accelerated for takeoff.

With hostile fire closing in, Fisher pushed the aircraft to maximum power and lifted off at the very end of the runway.

Against overwhelming odds, he successfully rescued the downed airman and escaped the enemy-held airfield.

His daring action remains one of the most dramatic combat rescues of the Vietnam War.

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Medal of Honor Citation

FISHER, BERNARD FRANCIS

Place and date: Bien Hoa and Pleiku, Vietnam, 10 March 1966.

Born: 11 January 1927, San Bernardino, Calif.

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.