Gunter park named for Air Force hero

  • Published
  • By Carl Bergquist
  • Air University Public Affairs
MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. (AFPN) --  The monument tells the story of an Airman who earned two Silver Stars, a Defense Superior Service Medal, a Legion of Merit, two Distinguished Flying Crosses and 18 Air Medals.

A park here now bears his name.

Retired Chief Master Sgt. Wayne Fisk, who was a pararescue Airman, was honored April 28 when a park here was renamed in his honor, and a monument highlighting his Air Force career was dedicated.

Adjacent to Enlisted Heritage Hall Museum on Gunter Annex, Fisk Park is a tribute to the former chief’s service to the Air Force and the country.

Chief Fisk’s Air Force career involved pararescue efforts in Vietnam, recovering astronauts for Apollo missions 8, 9 and 10, and the rescue of the USS Mayaguez crew.

“It is very special to have something named after you when you’re still here,” said Lt. Gen. Don Lamontagne, Air University commander, referring to the military tradition of only naming bases, buildings or other military facilities after deceased people.

The monument stands near a “solid and healthy Virginia Pine Tree,” which looms large among the park’s many pines, said Chief Master Sgt. Dave Hamel, director of Air Force Enlisted Heritage Research Institute.

“Like the tree, Chief Wayne Lewis Fisk stands out within our Air Force,” he told the gathered crowd, which included Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Gerald R. Murray.

Chief Fisk said he was “totally overwhelmed” by having the park named for him, and it was a landmark occasion in his and his wife’s lives.

“When Chief Hamel and (museum curator) Bill Chivalette called to tell me the news, I was honored, then apprehension began to settle in,” he said. “Since parks are usually named after those who have ‘pulled up their chocks,’ you know, are dead, I began to wonder if they knew something I didn’t!”

He said his life was never fuller than when he was wearing the Air Force uniform, and his successes were really the successes of the many people he worked with during his military career.

A highlight of the ceremony was the presentation of a special flag to Chief Fisk. In tribute to his pararescue career, an HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter from the 41st Rescue Squadron at Moody Air Force Base, Ga., hovered over the park and lowered two pararescue Airmen to the ground. With folded flag in hand, they ran to Chief Fisk’s position and presented him with it. The flag was flown at Enlisted Heritage Hall Plaza on April 6, which is Chief Fisk’s birthday. (Courtesy of Air Education and Training Command News Service)