[Herman W. Visscher oral history interview]

Fighter ace Herman W. Visscher is interviewed about his military service with the United States Army Air Forces during World War II. He describes his wartime experiences as a fighter pilot, including his time with the 97th Fighter Squadron, 82nd Fighter Group, in the Mediterranean Theater. He also touches briefly on his Air Force service during the Korean War. Topics discussed include his training and service history and a bomber escort mission to Gabès (Tunisia) in the spring of 1943.

The interview is conducted via telephone by historian Eric M. Hammel.

Herman W. Visscher was born on December 27, 1920 in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He joined the United States Army Air Corps in 1939 and initially served as an airplane mechanic before enrolling in flight training in 1941. After graduating as a sergeant pilot, Visscher was deployed to Europe as a member of the 97th Fighter Squadron, 82nd Fighter Group. He served two combat tours in the Mediterranean Theater, flying a total of 88 missions over Algeria, Tunisia, and Italy. He remained in the military after the end of World War II and went on to command the 25th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron during the Korean War. He retired in 1966 and passed away in 2011.