Joy Fisher can’t remember a time when her son, John, did not want to fly jets and be in the Navy. “His dad was a former naval aviator so John had heard his stories all of his life.” She continued, “It wasn’t surprising when John set his goal on attending the Naval Academy. Paul and I were proud of him and supportive of his decision.”
Lt. j.g. John Fisher, a 2002 graduate of New Albany High School and a 2006 graduate of the United States Naval Academy, was recently awarded his wings of gold in a formal ceremony aboard the NAS Meridian.
The journey to following his dreams and receiving his appointment to the Naval Academy is most impressive. Fisher had to prove himself in the preliminary applications stage before he was worthy of even being considered as a candidate applicant.
John was a four-year member of the football and golf teams and a member of several academic honor organizations such as National Honor Society, PACA, and Mu Alpha Theta. He was a member of the Union County Leadership Academy his junior year and attended the National Young Leaders Conference in Washington D. C. his senior year.
Joy Fisher gives credit to the New Albany School District for some of John’s success. “The New Albany School system provided John with excellent teachers and administrators in an environment that was conducive to learning. The schools also provided wonderful programs that allowed him to be well rounded in athletics, music, and leadership abilities.”
After the process of the preliminary application, Fisher had to go through a series of medical examinations, a fitness assessment, and an interview with a Blue/Gold officer. Every state has a Blue/Gold officer that is a trained Naval Academy Information officer. Finally, to receive an appointment to the Academy, candidates must obtain an official nomination. Congressional aides with then Representative Roger Wicker helped assist John in this process.
John finally received his appointment in March of his senior year. His classmates, teachers, and administrators shared in the excitement with the Fishers as John was officially presented his appointment at the high school Awards Ceremony in May 2002.
“Everyone was so supportive, encouraging, and helpful to me when they learned of my goal to get accepted into the Naval Academy,” John Fisher said referring to the faculty and staff of the New Albany School District.
With the excitement of an appointment, John and his parents knew the real journey was just beginning. Rigorous academic coursework, physical training, and professional development were not the only difficulties John Fisher would face along his journey.
During the fall of 2002, Fisher was diagnosed with cancer and received chemotherapy until February of 2003 to treat the condition. Again in the fall of 2003, John faced more chemotherapy and surgery because suspicious lymph nodes were detected in a routine medical exam. Relying on fellow classmates and his instructors, John was able to keep up with his course work.
The real tragedy came in December of 2005 when John received news from home that his father, Paul, had been killed in an airplane accident. Even with his battle of cancer and the grief associated with his father’s tragic death, John was able to finish the Academy on time.
He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland on May 26, 2006 and was commissioned as an officer in the United States Navy. The Naval Academy is considered one of the top educational institutions in the country and its graduates include one President, 21 members of Congress, 5 governors, and 52 astronauts.
John Fisher, who seems to know a lot about perseverance, advises students to “Never give up. Even when you are frustrated and you feel like you are hitting walls every way you turn, just remember to stay focused and keep working hard.”
After receiving his wings of gold in July, John has been assigned to VMFAT-101 Sharpshooters at MCAS Miramar, California where he will be flying the F/A-18C Hornet.
