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Wall of Honor Level:
Air and Space Friend

Honored by:

Colonel Harold E. Fischer was born May 8, 1925, in Lone Rock, Iowa but grew up in Swea City, Iowa. He joined the Navy during World War II and was discharged as a cadet at the end of the war. In 1949, he was commissioned a 2nd Lt. of Infantry on February, 1949. He transferred to the Air Force and won his wings in December 1950.
His initial combat experience came as pilot of an F-80 with the 80th Fighter Bomber Squadron, 8th Fighter Wing in Korea. When he completed his 105 missions in the F-80 he requested and was assigned to the 39th Fighter Interceptor of the 51st Fighter wing to fly F-86s. In the course of 70 missions, he was credited with downing 10 Mig-1 5s.
Fischer was shot down in April 1953 and was held a prisoner of war in Mukden, China until June 1955. He was shot down by Han Decai as reported in the Herald of the Red Air Fleet. The information is as follows: "Han Decai of North/East PRC. In 1950 he attended an Air Force School at which time he was only 16 years old. In November, 1952, together with Jiang Taoping, he graduated from the Air Force School at Shen Yuang. He served in the 3rd division as the youngest pilot in the Chinese Air Force. Later being a Fighter Pilot, he downed and damaged 6 airplanes including Capt. Harold Fischer's". Capt. Harold Fischer also downed 10 MIGs. Han Decai became internationally known as the youngest hero pilot, earned a title of a Rate 2 Fighting Hero and was promoted to the rank of Captain."
Upon his return the majority of his assignments were in the intelligence and human factors field. He served in Vietnam as Chief, AF Advisory Team Three, at Bien Hoa Air Base.
Fischer retired from the USAF in May 1978. Since then he has been involved in managing and consulting for The Fischer Trust which included his family’s farm, in Iowa and being involved with Unique Operations, Ltd, which has been concerned with aviation and aviation projects. He has business interests in Guatemala (Dragon Aviation). He had been involved in POW research and assistance.
Awards: Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Crosses, Air Medals, Legion of Merit, Joint Staff Commendation, Meritorious Service Medal and numerous medals from the Republic of Korea and Vietnam.