Fisher Park Neighborhood Association

Who Was Jack Fisher…

Who Was Corporal Jack Fisher?

Disabled American Veterans, Jack Fisher, Chapter, No. 23, Inc. Eulogy to Jack Fisher. Dedicated at Fairhaven Cemetery, Santa Ana, Ca. Memorial Day, Monday May 31, 1965.

Veterans, Ladies of the auxiliaries, Gold Star Mothers, and members of the patriotic organizations assembled here.

This is the final resting place of a Soldier named Jack Fisher. We are gathered here to do honor to him not only as an American Patriot, but as a hero of World War One. Jack is the symbol of an American who bore arms against an enemy of our country, from The Revolutionary War to Vietnam today.

Jack was born and raised in Santa Ana. He enlisted April 6, 1917 in Santa Ana, and was assigned to Company “L”, 7th California National Guard, which was later Federalized into The 160th Infantry Division. After intensive training, Jack was reassigned to the 58th Infantry Regiment of the 4th Division and sent overseas to France.

He was promoted to Corporal and went into action against the enemy in the battle of Chateau Thierry. In this action he was wounded and awarded the American Purple Heart, and prestigious French Croix de Guerro with Palm. He returned to his company in time to engage in the battle of Belleau Wood, where his gallantry in action won for him an additional Palm to his Croix de Guerre. He was again wounded in his action and hospitalized. He was awarded a cluster to his Purple Heart, and received France’s highest military decoration, The Medaille Militaire’.

He again retuned to his company and went into combat at the Battle of Verdun, where he added additional Palms to his French Croix de Guerre.

Jack participated in the Battle of The Argonne Forest, which was the last great battle of World War One. In particular action, Jack was in the party of 20 men to seize a group of German prisoners. Following a deadly skirmish with the enemy, Jack was one of three men who returned to the American lines, carrying his lieutenant, badly wounded on his back. For this heroic act, he was awarded the Nation’s second highest honor, The Distinguished Service Cross, and another Palm to his Croix de Guerre. He spent many weeks in a military field hospital recovering from the wounds he received in that action.

But, again he retuned to the front lines to engage the enemy in mortal combat. His heroic deeds came to the attention of the Italian, Belgian and British Governments. He was awarded The Order of The Star British Victoria Cross. France added additional Palms to his Croix de Guerre, making 12 Palms he earned in combat.

Then came the final engagement for Jack. In an advance against the enemy, shrapnel from an exploding enemy shell struck him and shattered his leg. He lay unconscious on the battlefield for 48 hours. While in that condition he was also gassed by the enemy. An American comrade later found Jack, and gave him water to drink from an exploded shell hole. However, the water was highly contaminated with poisonous mustard gas. It consumed Jacks lungs and the lining of his stomach. Upon reaching the field hospital, he had contracted pneumonia. The doctors gave up all hope. But his will to live overcame is injuries. He returned to the United Stated on crutches and was taken to a Military Hospital in San Francisco, where he regained partial health. During this period he studied art and cartooning. After his discharge from the hospital he worked for the San Francisco Examiner as an artist.

Jack then retuned to Santa Ana, and was married to Miss Frances Baker on June 8, 1927. He was placed on the staff of the Santa Ana Register Newspaper as an artist and cartoonist, where he worked until his passing on March 1, 1929.

Jack also devoted many hours to helping the Santa Ana Chapter of the Disabled American Veterans, and became it’s second Commander. After his passing, the Chapter was renamed in his honor.

Corporal Jack Fisher, we salute you, and shall ever me mindful of your heroic deeds on the fields of battle. You have brought honor and glory to not only yourself, the City of Santa Ana, but to the American soldiers who stand ready to give his last full measure of devotion to his country. JACK, WE SALUTE YOU!

Researched by Louis D Dell, Chaplain, Jack Fisher Chapter, 23, Disabled American Veterans, May 23, 1965.