Harold E. Fischer, Jr.
Colonel, U.S. Air Force

Harold E. Fischer, Jr. was born on a farm near Lone Rock, IA, on 8 May 1925. He initially enlisted in the U.S. Army and then transferred to the Air Force in 1950.

Fischer saw action in the Korean War and became a double fighter ace, shooting down eleven MiG aircraft in his more than 175 missions. During his final mission over Korea, although his F-86 Sabrejet was severely damaged by a Chinese fighter pilot, he downed his 11th MiG and then parachuted into Chinese territory just north of the Yalu River on 7 April 1953.

He was taken captive by Chinese military personnel and imprisoned near Mukden, Manchuria. Although the Korean Armistice Agreement called for the release of prisoners of war, Fisher was not released. 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 germ warfare. A mock trial led to his release on 31 May 1955. Fischer was returned to active service two months later.

Later in his career, he served in the Vietnam War, mainly as a helicopter pilot. He flew more than 200 missions in Vietnam.

Fisher learned that Chinese ace Han Decai was credited with shooting him down in 1953 and eventually the two of them met in China where he presented (then) General Han with a model of an F-86 Sabrejet.

Medals and Awards

Silver Star Medal
Distinguished Service Medal
Legion of Merit
Distinguished Flying Cross

Death and Burial

Colonel Harold E. Fischer, Jr. died on 30 April 2009 in Las Vegas, NV, from complications following back surgery. He was 83. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA.