L/CPL.
THOMAS WILLIAM FISHER
Born on Dec. 21, 1946
From ALLENTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA
Casualty was on Sept. 4, 1967
in QUANG TIN, SOUTH VIETNAM
HOSTILE, GROUND CASUALTY
GUN, SMALL ARMS FIRE
Panel 25E - - Line 99
Melendez
(far left), Pete Schrader, Jack Swan and Thomas Fisher (far right)
(Picture courtesy of Nick Nicholson, M/3/5)
L/Cpl.
Thomas Fisher served with the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines,
Mike Company. He was Killed in Action on the first day of Operation
SWIFT, and awarded the Navy Cross Medal posthumously. His name stands
proudly on the Mike 3/5 Wall of Honor.
Semper fi, Brother Marine. We will never forget.
Operation SWIFT
Heroes of M Co 3/5 Vietnam
I
was LCpl. Fisher's commanding officer on Sept. 4, 1967. Each of us
who fought for M Co. that day owe each of our fallen comrades our
life. There is not a day that goes by when each of us thinks of the
courageous Marines and Sailors who gave their lives for us and their
country 39 years ago. As Commanding Officer, I know I am alive today
because of heroes like LCpl. Thomas W. Fisher. We gather yearly in
LaGrange, Ga. to celebrate our 3rd Bn 5th Marines and our fallen comrades.
At the Memorial Walkway outside the Marine Corps Museum, we of M Co.
have 9 bricks with names of all who gave their lives on Operation
Swift in Sept 1967.~JD Murray
LCpl.
Thomas W. Fisher
Navy
Cross Citation
For
extraordinary heroism while serving as a Fire Team Leader with
Company M, Third Battalion, Fifth Marines, First Marine Division
(Reinforced), in the Republic of Vietnam on 4 September 1967.
While advancing toward Hill 63 in Quang Tin Province during
Operation SWIFT, Lance Corporal Fisher's platoon came under
heavy mortar, machine-gun and small-arms fire from well entrenched
elements of the North Vietnamese Army and was temporarily pinned
down.
In
the initial moments of the vicious attack, he fearlessly exposed
himself to enemy fire to encourage and direct his fire team
and observe enemy positions. Pinpointing an enemy automatic
weapon, he directed accurate rifle fire into the position, silencing
the weapon. When another automatic weapon immediately opened
fire on his team's position, he boldly stood up in full view
of the enemy and quieted the weapon with a rapid burst of rifle
fire before an enemy round damaged his rifle and wounded him
in the arm.
Then
despite the painful wound and lack of a weapon, Lance Corporal
Fisher daringly ran through a barrage of enemy fire to assist
a companion fire team, pinned down in an extremely hazardous
position. Upon learning that a seriously wounded Marine was
lying in an exposed area approximately forty meters from the
left flank, he courageously braved concentrated fire in an attempt
to rescue the disabled man.
Undaunted
by painful wounds, Lance Corporal Fisher crawled forward, bravely
continuing to advance until he was wounded again. Even then,
when a Marine reached his side to assist him, he refused aid,
urging the man to aid the wounded man whom he so courageously
tried to save.
Although
he ultimately succumbed to his multiple wounds, he inspired
all who observed him to heroic endeavor in repulsing the enemy
attack. By his extraordinary courage, bold initiative and selfless
devotion to duty, Lance Corporal Fisher upheld the highest traditions
of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. He
gallantly gave his life for his country.
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A
Good Marine
LCpl.
Thomas Fisher was like all the rest of guys in the Platoon.
He was young, full of himself, aggressive, and willing to do whatever
it took to get the job done. LCpl. Fisher was not afraid
to step-up to the plate and take charge of his Fire Team. He was a
Team Player and was well liked by all the men of the Platoon. Fisher
was a good Marine, when we were on that hill on the 4th of September
1967 he gave his all doing his duty as a Marine.-MSgt.
Craig Sullivan
Letter
from MSgt. Craig Sullivan to Tom Fisher's sister-in-law, Cheryl
Dear
Cheryl,
I was Tom's Platoon Sergeant while he was in Vietnam. I would just
like to share with you some of my memories of Tom.
First let me say that Tom was an excellent Marine. I could always
depend on him, and he was well liked by all that knew him. Tom cared
about what he was doing, and always tried his best to do the right
thing.
During the short time Tom was with the 1st Platoon, he proved himself
to be an honest and unselfish person. He was always willing to help
out wherever he could, and always set high standards for himself and
his Fire Team.
Tom was like all the rest of the young Marines, when we were not in
the Bush he like to cut up and have fun with his buddies. He would
pick at his buddies, play cards, watch a movie and go to the Enlisted
Club.
When it came time to go out on a patrol, ambush or go out on an Operation,
Tom was strictly business. He always put his men first, he was a team
player and did his best to protect his men from harm.
There is no way I could ever express his Heroic Actions on 4 September
1967. Tom was a true Hero, he lay down his life to save the men of
his Fire Team and his personal sacrifice saved countless lives in
the Platoon. He was fearless in his actions, and he went above and
beyond the call of duty to protect his men.
I know that the sacrifice Tom made has caused heartache for his loved
ones, and I know it still hurts his family to this day, it always
will, but Cheryl, his family can be truly be proud of him. Tom was
a true Marine. He believed in what he was doing, he loved his Corps
and his Country.
I hope that I have given you something that you and his family can
always remember about Tom. I, for one, will never forget him, and
I will share his story so his memory doesn't die.
Semper
Fi
Craig Sullivan
Master Sergeant USMC Ret.
*********************************
Friend
and Brother Marine
Tom and myself
grew up together in Allentown, PA. We went to school and scouts together.
I was also in Viet Nam when Tom was Killed in Action. I was with the
Third Marine Div. up in Phu Bai. I didn't really know how Tom got
killed until I read the comments from his brother Marines. Tom would
always put his family and friends before himself. He was a very loyal
person. I am very proud to call Tom my friend. May our hero rest in
peace. Semper fi~ Floyd Beitler
*********************************
"A
fallen Hero"
Tom,
God bless you, and rest in peace~Bob Filice, Vietnam 5th
Marines, 6/67-7/68
*****************************************
My
Friend
He
was a good guy and school mate and I proudly to call him friend
and brother. I was was on my 1st tour w/1st ForceRecon
when M 3/5 was on Op Swift. It was a bad week. Semper Fi ... Rick
\"Rabbi\" Rabenold
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