Paul Francis Fischer

Aviation Ordnanceman Second Class

United States Naval Reserves

Paul Francis Fischer, the only son of Clarence J. and Catherine Fischer, was born on 25 September 1921.

Paul graduated from St. Mary’s parochial school in West Burlington, Iowa and from Burlington High School with the Class of 1941.  He went on to attend Burlington Junior College for one and Iowa State College in Ames where he studied veterinary medicine.

He enlisted in the United States Naval Reserves on 27 September 1942, and took his basic training at Great Lakes Naval Training Station near Chicago, Illinois.  For his specialty training, Paul went to Memphis, Tennessee for aviation ordnance, Hollywood, Florida for gunnery school, and Beaufort, South Carolina for advanced gunnery school.  In October 1943, Paul was transferred to Floyd Bennett Field, New York. 

In April 1944, Paul’s parents received the following letter from Frank Knox, Secretary of the Navy:

“Your son, Paul Francis Fischer, aviation ordnance 2-c, U.S. naval reserve was reported missing when the plane of which he was a member of the crew, crashed into the ocean in the vicinity of Barnegat City, N.J., while on an authorized flight.

“It is with deep regret you must now be advised that, although the body of your son was not recovered, it has been officially determined that he lost his life on Dec. 12, 1943 as a result of the plane crash.

“The bureau realizes your sorrow and extends sincere sympathy to you in the loss of your son.  It is hoped you may find comfort in the knowledge that he was courageously serving his country at the time of death.”

His parents and two sisters, Kathleen and Dolores, survived Paul.

Aviation Ordnanceman Second Class Paul Francis Fischer, United States Naval Reserves, is still listed as Missing in Action.  His name has been placed on the Tablets of the Missing at East Coast Memorial in New York, New York.

Source of information:

1.  The Burlington Hawk-Eye Gazette, 21 April 1944, page 1.

2.  American Battle Monuments Commission.

3.  National Archives and Records Administration. World War II & Korean Conflict Veterans Interred Overseas.

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