Glenn Fisher, a 99-year-old World War II Army veteran, has finally received the Purple Heart, more than 80 years after sustaining life-threatening injuries while fighting Nazi Germany. The ceremony took place recently at Louisville's Frazier History Museum.
Fisher enlisted in the Army in 1943 at age 16 with his parents' permission. He landed on Utah Beach in France and was wounded on March 25, 1945, near the Rhine River when German artillery struck his unit. He had been waiting to cross the river at the time of the attack.
Fisher previously stated that his injuries were not properly documented during the war, which he believed delayed his receiving the Purple Heart. Subsequent attempts to obtain the medal were unsuccessful, with the Army reportedly unable to find sufficient evidence to approve the award.
With the help of a longtime friend, Jeff Thoke, who spent years compiling historical records, Fisher renewed his efforts to secure the recognition. Thoke described Fisher as representing “the best of America” and a patriotic man who loves his country.
Fisher served with the Army's 556th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Weapons Battalion. He participated in the Battle of the Bulge before being wounded near the Rhine River in the final months of World War II. Weeks after being wounded, Fisher returned to his unit. He met Soviet forces at the Elbe River just before Victory in Europe Day and later served as part of the official escort for President Harry S. Truman during his arrival in Antwerp, Belgium.
Fisher expressed his excitement and disbelief about receiving the award, saying, “Sometimes I'd wake up and say, 'now, is this really true?' And it is, it's really true.” The Purple Heart is awarded to U.S. service members wounded or killed by enemy action. The award comes months before Fisher's 100th birthday.