A Kentucky World War II veteran, Glenn Fisher, finally received the Purple Heart, one of the most solemn U.S. military honors, after more than 80 years. Fisher, now 99, was wounded fighting Nazi Germany during WWII.
Fisher had been waiting for the recognition since his injuries on March 25, 1945. The award ceremony at Louisville’s Frazier History Museum was held just months before his 100th birthday.
Fisher’s Military Service
Fisher enlisted in the Army in 1943 at the age of 16 with his parents’ permission. He landed on Utah Beach in France and later sustained injuries from German artillery near the Rhine River.
Despite these injuries, Fisher’s service record did not initially reflect the wounds, delaying his Purple Heart award. Fisher’s previous attempts to receive the medal faced challenges due to insufficient documentation.
Recognition Efforts
Fisher’s pursuit of recognition was aided by Jeff Thoke, a longtime friend, who gathered extensive documentation on Fisher’s service. Thoke described Fisher as a patriotic American.
Fisher served in the 556th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Weapons Battalion and participated in the Battle of the Bulge. Despite his injuries, he returned to his unit, met Soviet forces at the Elbe River, and later served as an escort for President Harry S. Truman in Belgium before returning home.
The ceremony marked the end of a long journey for Fisher, offering recognition for his sacrifices during the war.
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