World War II Database

1.  David Stubblebine says:
21 Jan 2011 12:02:04 PM

Navy Cross citation for Frank Moore “Fuzzy” Fisler:
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Ensign Frank Moore Fisler, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary courage and heroic conduct on 30 December 1941, as FIRST Pilot of a Navy Seaplane in Patrol Squadron FIFTY-ONE (VP-51), whose crew and officers, against insurmountable odds, rescued nine army flyers (including one officer), of an Army plane that had been forced down to sea during combat far from Oahu. The conduct of Ensign Fisler throughout this action resulted in the saving of nine lives, and reflects great credit upon himself, and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

While the medals were awarded the day after the events that merited them, Fisler’s citation declares that it was awarded posthumously because the citation was not formally drafted until after Fisler was killed in action in March 1943. The Navy Crosses awarded to Fisler and to his PBY-5 Catalina second pilot LH Wagoner are believed to be the first Navy Crosses awarded during the Pacific War.