Johnny L Fisher

Military
media-43423.jpeg UPL 43423 Johnny L Fisher - WWII - Staff Seargent - 34th Bomb Group (H) - 8th Army Air Force - 4th Bomb Squadron - Tail Gunner - B-17 Flying Fortress # 43-37637 - Stationed in Mendlesham England - 22 missions successfully flown.

Removed associations not depicted in image. Associations made in person record.

Object Number - UPL 43423 - Johnny L Fisher - WWII - Staff Seargent - 34th Bomb Group (H) - 8th Army Air Force - 4th Bomb Squadron - Tail Gunner - B-17 Flying Fortress #...

My Dad served in the 8th Army Air Corp, 34th Bomb Group H during WWII from 42-45 & was stationed in Mendlesham England during his time of service. He flew 22 missions on a B-17 #43-37637 & was a Tail Gunner with crew members Courtney R Daniels (pilot), William O Jennings Jr (co-pilot), Thomas E Buchanan (navigator), Theodore T Beard (flight engineer), William Harben (radio operator), Elmer Gergley (ball turret / left waist gunner), Clarence W Grimm (nose gunner), Paul W Stoutsenberger (bombardier), Joseph J Schmidt (right waist gunner), Richard Kashishian (micky operator), & Steve W Bialas (crew chief). His crew was lead crew. Flying 22 missions is nothing more than miraculous given the fact that the average life expectancy of a Tail Gunner during WWII was under 4 minutes & no more than 4 missions equalling just two weeks. Lucky for my Dad, the war ended prior to flying any more missions. Had it not, he might not have been among the fortunate to have returned home. My Dad joined the Army Air Corp as a call of duty & served his country to protect its liberties & freedoms. He was a man of valor, honor & great courage. He was the kindest, most loving & genuine person I've known. Were it not for the bravery of men & women like him, we would not enjoy those liberties & freedoms we now have. My Dad will always be my Hero! The risks he took to defend his country were just as huge as the heart he had for those he loved. I'm proud of my Dad's service during WWII as a B-17 Tail Gunner. Medals Awarded for service:

Air Medal with 2 oak leaf clusters

American Campaign Medal

Good Conduct Medal

World War II Victory Medal

European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with 1 bronze star

Connections

See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.

Units served with

A B-17 Flying Fortress (serial number 44-8309) nicknamed "Ol' Buddy" of the 18th Bomb Squadron, 34th Bomb Group at Mendelsham. Pete Gray was the aircraft's crew chief. Handwritten caption on reverse: '18th B.S. 34th BG. Pete Gray C/C.'
  • Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment
The insignia of the 34th Bomb Group
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 34th Bomb Group 18th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Sergeant (RAF)
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Civilian
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 34th Bomb Group 4th Bomb Squadron
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 34th Bomb Group 18th Bomb Squadron
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 34th Bomb Group 18th Bomb Squadron 4th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 38546773
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Tail Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 34th Bomb Group 4th Bomb Squadron

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Daniels
  • Unit: 34th Bomb Group 94th Bomb Group 18th Bomb Squadron 332nd Bomb Squadron 4th Bomb Squadron

Missions

  • Date: 21 February 1945
  • Date: 6 August 1944
  • Date: 4 August 1944

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Premont Texas 1 October 1925

Enlisted

Houston Texas 6 December 1943

Died

Mesa Arizona 11 August 2010

Based

Mendlesham

Revisions

Date
Changes
Sources

Military Records-Personal

Date
Changes
Sources

Military Records-Personal

Date
Changes
Sources

Military Records-Personal

Date
Changes
Sources

Military Records-Personal

Date
Changes
Sources

Military Records

Date
Changes
Sources

Personal

Date
Contributordecwriter
Changes
Sources

NARA file verified Air Medal with 2 oak leaf clusters. He earned at least one bronze star on the EAME Campaign Medal and possibly more, but personnel records would verify the count.

Date
Changes
Sources

Personal

Date
Changes
Date
Changes
Sources

34th Bomb Group H Roster 1989

Date
Changes
Sources

34th Bomb Group H 1989 Roster

Date
Changes
Sources

34th Bomb Group H 1989 Roster

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

1996 34th BG Roster / Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia

Johnny L Fisher: Gallery (3 items)