It is with deep regret that I write to inform you of the death of Major William Ashley Fisher, USMCR(Ret.), President of the US Marine Corps Raider Association.  Yesterday Major Fisher died peacefully in his sleep, following a prolonged illness.   

 

Major Fisher and I first met in Chicago five years ago.  I was there to honor the Marines of the 2nd Raider Battalion who had fallen in battle on Makin Island and whose remains had been recently repatriated.  At that time, Major Fisher, Mel Heckt, then standing President of the Raider Association, Col. Brian Quirk, and I formed an alliance whose purpose was to secure permission for the remains of the repatriated Raiders to be buried side by side at Arlington National Cemetery.  Over the years since then, I have watched (often in wonder and amazement) as Major Fisher has worked tirelessly to serve his comrades in arms and his Corp.  Where many might be tempted to place themselves in the limelight of notoriety, Major Fisher was always the good Public Affairs Officer, assisting others while remaining in the background.  

 

Major Fisher, often spoke warmly about my grandfather, Brigadier General Evans Carlson, and his time of service under him.  Bill was the youngest of the 2nd Raiders, just sixteen when he enlisted.  He joined the Raiders in Pearl Harbor, after the Makin Raid and before the Long Patrol on Guadalcanal.  At Bill’s first Gung Ho meeting, Grandfather delivered a eulogy to the fallen Raiders on Makin Island.  Bill once told me that throughout the years he has drawn on those words for comfort and direction.  He often quoted that speech to me, "...It is not given to us, to know the process by which certain of us are chosen for sacrifice while others remain.  We can only rest our faith in the infinite wisdom of the Supreme Being who guides our destinies.  ...it seems to me that the most worthy among us are selected for separation in this way.  These comrades of ours also loved life....they knew the nature of the risk they took.  But they knew also that human progress inevitably entails human sacrifice... Our course is clear.  It is for us at this moment with the memory of the sacrifices of our brothers still fresh, to dedicate again our hearts, our minds, and our bodies to the great task that lies ahead.  The future of America - yes the future condition of all peoples, rests in our hands."  

 

A good Marine, Bill carried out the mission his C.O. had assigned him so many years ago in the South Pacific.  Putting aside profit and self interest, he dedicated his heart, his mind, and his body to sustain the freedoms his comrades had sacrificed their lives for and in which he whole heartedly believed.   He will be missed.

 

A few weeks ago, Bill confided in me that upon discovery of his illness, his doctor had given him six months to live.  That was over three years ago.  At a recent check up, his doctor told Bill that he could not explain why Bill was still around.  I could have eased the doctors confusion on the matter with four words.  Bill was a Raider. I saw the same qualities in my own father who died last April.  They are tough.  They are courageous.  They don't surrender.  And they never say die.   

  

God Bless and Gung Ho!

Karen Carlson Loving

February, 2006