The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Don Holms Fisher (MCSN: 0-17180), United States Marine Corps, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a Pilot and Division Leader in various Marine Aviation Squadrons in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands and Bismarck Archipelago Areas, from 12 September 1943 to 7 May 1944. Flying escort for our bombers during a strike against Rabaul on 25 December, Captain Fisher single-handedly engaged ten enemy fighters and, plunging to the attack with determined aggressiveness, shot down one Zero and drove the others away, thereby saving the bombers from certain damage. Again attacking a numerically superior enemy force during a fighter sweep over Rabaul on 27 December, he succeeded in shooting two of the hostile craft from the sky and, continuing his bold combat tactics throughout numerous other strike escorts, patrols and fighter sweeps carried out in the face of intense anti-aircraft fire and aerial opposition, contributed materially to the success of his squadron in inflicting severe damage on the enemy. By his brilliant airmanship, cool courage and steadfast devotion to duty, Captain Fisher upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Awards Received
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
CaptainBatallion:
Marine Fighter Squadron 323 (VMF-323)Division:
U.S.S. Baedong Strait (AVP-34)Action Date:
September 3 – November 25, 1950
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Don Holms Fisher (MCSN: 0-17180), United States Marine Corps, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Pilot of a Plane in Marine Fighter Squadron THREE HUNDRED TWENTY-THREE (VMF-323), attached to the U.S.S. BAEDONG STRAIT (AVP-34), during operations against enemy aggressor forces in Korea from 3 September 1950 to 25 November 1950. Completing thirty-five combat missions during this period, Captain Fisher carried out daring close air support flights and destructive attacks against concentrations of enemy troops, vehicles and material in the face of hostile anti-aircraft fire. By his courage, skilled airmanship and devotion to duty throughout, he contributed materially to the success of his squadron in the infliction of extensive damage on the enemy, and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
CaptainBatallion:
Marine Fighter Squadron 323 (VMF-323)Division:
U.S.S. Baedong Strait (AVP-34)Action Date:
September 3 – November 25, 1950
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Don Holms Fisher (MCSN: 0-17180), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as Pilot of a Plane in Marine Fighter Squadron THREE HUNDRED TWENTY-THREE (VMF-323), attached to the U.S.S. BAEDONG STRAIT (AVP-34), from 3 September 1950 to 25 November 1950. During this period of time Captain Fisher completed his thirty-sixth through seventieth missions in close support of ground forces, destroying and inflicting great damage to concentrations of North Korean vehicles, material, and personnel, thereby contributing effectively to the defense of South Korea. By his airmanship and devotion to duty in the face of enemy anti-aircraft fire he contributed materially to the success of his squadron. His conduct throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.