John Fischer

JOHN PHILIP FISCHER, II, LT, USN "J. P." The beloved son of Dorothy T. Fischer nee Thom and John P. Fischer Linda L. Andi of Garrettesville, OH. JP was the dear brother of Danica Fischer Kobylski Jason and Kimberly H. Fischer and dear grandson of Frederick A. Thom Virginia of Columbus, MS, the late Lillian Thom, and the late Mary G. and Hans F. Fischer. The family prefers that those who wish may make contributions in his name to the American Cancer Society. Funeral Services will be held, 2pm, Saturday January 28th at BROWN-FORWARD, 17022 CHAGRIN BLVD., SHAKER HTS., OH WHERE FRIENDS MAY CALL FRIDAY JANUARY 27TH FROM 2-4 AND 6-8. Interment will follow at Lake View Cemetery. John Phillip Fischer II - The face of our all-volunteer military Admiral Chester Nimitz said of the Marines at Iwo Jima, "uncommon valor was a common virtue." Those words are inscribed in the Iwo Jima Memorial in Arlington, VA . The picture of the flag raising on Mount Suribachi, which is the basis for the statue in Arlington, became a symbol of the American peoples' resolve to defeat the Japanese and Germans and bring an end to the war. It is difficult to dispute the heroism of our soldiers, sailors, aviators and Marines of World War II. But what does that uncommon valor look like in today's all-volunteer armed forces? It looks like long- time Shaker Heights resident and U.S. Navy Lieutenant John Phillip Fischer II. Lt. Fischer passed away from his own private battle with melanoma on January 16. He was stationed at U.S. Naval Air Station, Point Magu, CA, as a naval flight officer with VAW-117, an early detection and warning aviation squadron serving the Pacific Fleet. His story is just one of many which often go untold when we become accustomed to another serviceman or service woman who pay the ultimate price and give their lives while wearing the uniform of our nation. Yet, a picture of Lt. Fischer's life paints a portrait of the qualities and diversity which comprise our Armed Forces today. As a graduate of Shaker Heights High School in 1999, Fischer had already distinguished himself by becoming an Eagle Scout and attaining four varsity letters on the high school hockey team. His love of music manifested itself in the high school band and continued beyond as Lt. Fischer, referred to as JP by his many friends, became an accomplished pianist and guitarist. Like many in today's military, JP liked self-challenges and adventure. After high school, his quest for both included a summer of backpacking through Europe before getting down to the business of serving his country. When he returned to the states, the Marine Corps offered him both a challenge and the commitment he was seeking. Fischer attended Marine Corps recruit training at Parris Island, SC and graduated with honors in November 1999. His dedication to his country and the military never wavered as he spent two years as an aviation mechanic before his selection to attend the U.S. Naval Academy Preparatory School in Newport, RI. From there he accepted an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy and graduated in 2007 with a Bachelor's degree in English. Outdoor life and social life was a staple in JP's activities. While in Newport and Annapolis, he spent time boating, fishing and playing music to entertain his classmates. No military ball was complete without midshipman Fischer's presence and JP continued his knack for making friends and making a positive impact on the lives of those he served with and those he came to know outside the military. His friends are many and spread around the globe. His family has received condolences from as far away as Japan, Europe and the Middle East, and many more places in between. Like many who serve in the military, JP's friends and acquaintances encompass not only the 50 United States but people around the world. Life for Lt. Fischer after the Naval Academy took a new direction as the challenge of the Marine Corps gave way to the challenge of flying aboard a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier. JP decided to take a commission in the U.S. Navy and pursue that challenge by attending naval flight training at Naval Air Station, Pensacola, FL. While attending that training, Fischer also attained his single-engine private pilot's license and added flying to a resume that now included scuba diving, wakeboarding, surfing, skiing and even dog sled driving. While his days of baseball, hockey and golf back in Ohio were not completely gone, JP had now added a greater repertoire of activities to his zeal for life. Lt. Fischer's rigorous naval flight training took him from Pensacola to Naval Air Station, Norfolk, VA with the VAW-120 Greyhawks training squadron. It was in April 2010 in Norfolk that he attained the naval aviators "wings of gold" and was officially designated a U.S. Naval Flight Officer for the Navy E-2C Hawkeye aircraft. JP's time aboard an aircraft carrier was in the not too distant future. He was assigned to report to VAW-117 Wallbangers at Naval Air Station, Point Magu, CA to begin work-ups for a deployment later this year. Unfortunately, his battle with melanoma also began in 2010. His uncommon valor was to show itself during that fight. For JP Fischer, the common virtues he brought to his fight with cancer were many that are displayed by our servicemen and home and abroad; an unflinching loyalty to those he serves with and an uncompromising love for family and friends. It was those around him that represented that nation he so humbly had chosen to serve. His life was dedicated to his country because it was dedicated to being the son, the brother, the friend, the friendly smile and warm greeting that symbolized his country. Lt. John Phillip Fischer II did not die a hero. He would not have wanted us to think that way. Just as so many of our veterans have said before him. JP's uncommon valor which was his own common virtue was his zest for life, his unshakeable spirit and his commitment to do whatever it took to fight the good fight. He was special. He represented the kind of person who makes up our all-volunteer Armed Forces today. Fischer never did get to fly aboard an aircraft carrier. Those that remain behind though will take him with them. It is like that in the military. Service men and women are lost but never forgotten to those they serve with. In a greater sense, Shaker Heights, Ohio has contributed yet another name to the list of American patriots whose duty to their country went far beyond the borders of their home town. As for me, my name is Craig Fisher, I'm a Marine veteran myself and my daughter Laura is a U.S. Naval Flight Officer with VAW-117. I write this knowing that JP may have one day been my son-in-law. I could not have selected a better man for her. The Marine Corps motto, Semper Fidelis, means always faithful; and so it was with Lt. Fischer and still remains with Lt. Fisher. When the flag is taken from JP's coffin on Saturday and presented to his family on "Behalf of a grateful nation," Shaker Heights, OH can be proud of her own son who also gave his life while defending our nation.


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