Aaron R Fisher - Distinguished Service Cross
Initially assigned to the segregated 9th Cavalry Regiment he was then assigned to the 24th Infantry Regiment, another segregated unit. By 1916 he’d been promoted to Corporal and was taking part in General Pershing’s in service along the Mexican border. They joined the Punitive Expedition against Pancho Villa into Mexico.
After that, Fisher and the 24th Infantry was sent to guard Camp Logan near Houston, still under construction. Here the all-black regiment was met with significant animosity by the local white population.
Fisher had been transferred to the 366th Infantry Regiment and promoted to Sergeant before 150 black soldiers of the 24th Infantry, protesting against discrimination they’d received, went on a march into Houston on 23 August, 1917 in what became known as the Houston Riot. White civilians, including police, confronted the rogue soldiers. Both sides had armed themselves. The ensuing one night of rioting led to the death of four soldiers and 15 civilians (including four police officers). After courts-martial, several soldiers were sentenced to death and 41 sentenced to life imprisonment for their participation in the riots.
With American entry into World War One, Fisher’s new regiment, the 366th Infantry, was a new formation. An all-black regiment, it was part of the 92nd Division. The 366th and other units of the 92nd Division (the “Buffalo Soldiers”) were different than preceding all-black Army formations. Previous segregated units were commanded by white officers, such as the aforementioned General Pershing who received his nickname “Black Jack” for having served with the black 10th Cavalry. The 366th on the other hand was to be commanded, at least at the company grade by black officers.
Having already been made First Sergeant of E Company, 366th Infantry, Fisher was selected to attend a 90-day Officer Candidate School and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant 1 June, 1918. The regiment deployed to Europe as part of the American Expeditionary Force two weeks later.
Sent right into combat, the 92nd and 93rd Infantry Divisions were tasked to aid the French, who were in desperate need of men. Incidentally, the French were also much less prejudiced against blacks.
On the 3rd of September, 1918, in the area of Lesseux, Franch, Fisher and his men came under attack by a superior number of the enemy. Fisher gave orders to his men, holding his position. He and his men refused to buckle under the onslaught of the German guns.
Lieutenant Fisher was severely wounded during the battle, but he refused to leave his position and continued to command and fight. They organized a counterattack that finally broke the German attack, repulsing the enemy force.
Fisher received the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions that day. Because his efforts were in support of the French, they awarded him the Croix de Guerre with gold star (indicating a citation at the corps level). The French described him as "an officer of admirable courage."
Evacuated for his wounds, the war was over before he could return to the front. By policy, black officers after the war were given Warrant Officer rank. Before being discharged as a commissioned officer in 1919, Fisher was promoted to Captain in the Army Reserve. After he lost his commission he re-enlisted as a First Sergeant.
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| Fisher (third from left), with other officers of the 366th Infantry aboard the RMS Aquatania, coming back to the US |
After working at Schofield Barracks in Hawaii and doing a tour in The Philippines, Fisher was made an ROTC instructor at Wilberforce University in Ohio, a historically black college. He remained in this role for the rest of his career, from 1936 until 1947.
Promoted to Chief Warrant Officer in 1942, his students had long before taken to calling him “Cap” in honor of the highest rank he’d held. Among his students were many excellent future officers, including 1st Lieutenant John R Fox who would posthumously receive the Medal of Honor for calling in an artillery strike on his own position to stop an enemy assault during WWII.
Fisher was forced to leave the Army only due to worsening health. He retired in 1947 and then went to work at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base as a civilian. In 1961 the Secretary of the Air Force honored him with a certificate that honored him for his 50 years of federal service.
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| Fisher receiving his certificate for 50 years of combined federal service |
Fisher finally retired fully in 1965. Shortly thereafter he was appointed to the Greene County, Indiana board of commissioners. He’d also work with the Shriners, becoming master of his lodge. He passed away in 1985 at the age of 89. The Wilberforce class of 1942 organized a tribute for “Cap” Fisher in 1983. Here he was honored by many former students who remembered him for his "booming" voice, strict discipline, and military "spit and polish." They said Fisher also created an environment of "esprit de corps" among the cadets and instilled in them the lesson to be "tough and resilient."
Distinguished Service Cross
AWARDED FOR ACTIONS
DURING World War I
Service: Army
Rank: Second Lieutenant
Division: 92d Division, American Expeditionary Forces
GENERAL ORDERS:
War Department, General Orders No. 147 (1918)
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Second Lieutenant (Infantry) Aaron R. Fisher, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 366th Infantry Regiment, 92d Division, A.E.F., near Lesseux, France, 3 September 1918. Lieutenant Fisher showed exceptional bravery in action when his position was raided by a superior force of the enemy by directing his men and refusing to leave his position, although he was severely wounded. He and his men continued to fight the enemy until the latter were beaten off by counterattack.
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