Fischer, Harold E. Jr.

Harold E. Fischer Jr.

Harold E. Fischer Jr., Colonel, USAF (Retired)

May 08, 1925 – April 30, 2009

COL. HAROLD FISCHER JR. U.S. Air Force, Retired Ret. U.S. Air Force Colonel Harold E. Fischer Jr., 83, Double A fighter pilot and Korean and Vietnam War hero, passed away in Las Vegas, April 30, 2009. He was born May 8, 1925, in Seneca Township, Lone Rock, Iowa, the son of Harold E. and Pearl (Frederickson) Fischer.

He received his education at Burt High School (’43) and entered the U.S. Navy in 1944. After discharge, Harold attended Iowa State University for two years before joining the U.S. Army. He transferred to the U.S. Air Force and completed both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Iowa State University (Ames). His military career spanned 30 years. He served as a fighter pilot in the Korean War, flew 105 combat missions and shot down 10 airplanes before becoming a political prisoner of the People’s Republic of China. During the Vietnam War, he completed 200 missions, primarily as a helicopter pilot. Other services included instructor, intelligence officer, tactical evaluation officer and research associate assigned to MIT. Military titles included chief of Objectives and Assessment Branch (Pentagon), Commander of the Human Resources Laboratory and member of the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency (Cabinet level).

Decorations included the Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, Legion of Merit, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal and numerous unit and campaign medals.

He was a member of the Association of Intelligence Officers, American Ex-Prisoners of War, American Fighter Aces, Disabled American Veterans, China Post No. 1 of the American Legion, Legion of Valor and the Retired Officers Association.

Harold is survived by four children, Dana Fischer of Ames, Iowa, Harold III of San Antonio, Kurt of Tivoli, N.Y., and Clint of Ankeny, Iowa: five grandsons, Harold IV of San Antonio, Scott Keefe of Seattle, Alexander and Austin, both of Ankeny, Iowa, and Pascal of Tivoli, N.Y. He is also survived by his companion, Tsai Lan Gerth. Preceding him in death were his infant daughter, Katherine Ann; and his father and mother.

A memorial service is planned for the China Post No. 1 reunion in Las Vegas in September. Harold will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be sent to China Post No. 1, P.O. Box 570607, Houston, TX 77257-0607, or to the Disabled American Veterans.

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During the Vietnam War, Col. Fischer was assigned Chief, Air Force Advisory Team Three, and Advisor to the Commander, 3rd Air Division, Vietnamese Air Force, Republic of Vietnam Air Force at Bien Hoa AB, South Vietnam, from September 1971 to October 1972. Fischer served mainly as a helicopter pilot and flew more than 200 missions over South Vietnam.

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