Naperville man elected as 2020 Senior Vice Commander for the American Legion Department of Illinois
During its recent state convention, Wayne Fischer of Naperville was elected as the 2020 Senior Vice Commander of the Department of Illinois, American Legion.
Fischer previously held positions as Naperville Post 43 Commander for four years, and as commander at the county, district and division levels.
As part of his ongoing commitment to his fellow veterans and the "Four Pillars of the American Legion," Fischer has served on the District and Division VA&R Commission.
He also served on the National Security Commission for the Department, on the staff at Illinois Premier Boys State and as a director on the Premier Boys State Board. He is currently serving on the National Youth Education Commission representing the Department of Illinois.
Fischer is a Paid-up-for-Life member of the American Legion and the VFW. He is active in the DuPage Veterans Foundation. He is an honorary member of Naperville Responds for veterans.
He attended the University of Minnesota and graduated in December 1965 with a bachelor's degree in animal science.
In January 1966, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and graduated from Officer Candidate School in March 1966 as a second lieutenant. After Officer Candidate School, he completed Flight Training at the Naval Air Training Command in Pensacola, Florida, earning his "Navy Wings of Gold" in the spring of 1967.
He arrived in South Vietnam on Sept. 29, 1967, and spent 12 months and 20 days flying H-34 helicopters in support of U.S. Marines, the South Vietnamese Army and Korean Marines.
Following his tour in Vietnam and promotion to captain, he received orders for the Naval Air Training Command in Meridian, Mississippi, where he spent 2½ years a jet flight instructor, training both Navy and Marine flight students. He has flown a total of 2,500 hours in helicopters, jets, props, and sail planes.
After military service, Fischer spent 38 years in sales and sales management in the livestock feed and pet food industry.
Wayne and his wife, Iris, grew up in the same farming community in Minnesota, and attended the same country school. They have been happily married for 53 years and have two children, Victoria and Waylon, and four grandchildren.
For information, contact Jim Vahle at (630) 864-7183 or vahlej@comcast.net.