Private David Fisher To Return Home

Minister for Defence Media Mail List

THE HON. WARREN SNOWDON MP
Minister for Defence Science and Personnel

Thursday, 11 September 2008
130/2008

Private David Fisher To Return Home

The Minister for Defence Science and Personnel, the Hon. Warren Snowdon MP, today announced that remains recovered in the Cam My District of Vietnam in late August have been officially identified as Private David Fisher.

Private David Fisher of the Special Air Services Regiment (SASR) fell from a rope beneath a Royal Australian Air Force helicopter during a “hot extraction” of his patrol on 27 September 1969.

It is now known that Private Fisher died as a result of the fall and was hastily buried by enemy soldiers who discovered his body.

“I am very pleased that the remains of this brave soldier have now been accounted for and his family, mates and country can finally welcome him home to rest in peace.

“Thankfully, Private Fisher’s identification tags were not removed and this has been extremely useful during the recovery process.

“Finding Private Fisher after nearly 40 years brings us near to the end of another chapter in the history of the Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War,” Mr Snowdon said.

Planning is now underway to repatriate Private Fisher’s remains home to Australia.

Private Fisher is the fourth and last Australian Soldier to be located and his return will complete the recovery of all Australian Army personnel who were lost on operations and not recovered during the Vietnam War. Lance Corporal Parker and Private Gillson were repatriated to Australian in June 2007 and Lance Corporal Gillespie in December 2007.

Two Royal Australian Air Force personnel, Flying Officer Michael Herbert and Pilot Officer Robert Carver remain unaccounted for from the Vietnam War.

Media Note:
The family of Private Fisher request that media respect their privacy during this difficult time.

ENDS

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