Ken Fisher was born in 1936 in the Bronx, New York. He was commissioned a 2d Lt in the U.S. Air Force through the Air Force ROTC program at the University of Pennsylvania on June 11, 1958, and went on active duty beginning March 16, 1959. Lt Fisher next completed pilot training and was awarded his pilot wings at Laredo AFB, Texas, in April 1960, followed by Basic Instructor School at Craig AFB, Alabama, from April to August 1960. His first assignment was as a flight instructor with the 3641st Pilot Training Squadron at Laredo AFB from August 1960 to January 1965, and then as an instructor pilot and flight examiner with the 317th Fighter Interceptor Squadron at Elmendorf AFB, Alaska, from January 1965 to January 1967. After completing F-4 Phantom II Combat Crew Training, Capt Fisher deployed to Southeast Asia where he served as an F-4 pilot with the 390th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Da Nang AB, South Vietnam, from July 1967 until he was forced to eject over North Vietnam and was taken as a Prisoner of War on November 7, 1967. After spending 1,955 days in captivity, Maj Fisher was released during Operation Homecoming on March 14, 1973. He was briefly hospitalized to recover from his injuries, and then attended Armed Forces Staff College at Norfolk, Virginia, from March 1973 to January 1974. He attended F-4 replacement training with the 308th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Homestead AFB, Florida, from January to November 1974, and then served as an F-4 pilot with the 7th and then the 417th Tactical Fighter Squadrons, and on the staff of the 49th Tactical Fighter Wing, at Holloman AFB, New Mexico, from November 1974 to May 1976. Col Fisher next served as Chief of the Readiness Initiatives Group Division and as Deputy Director of Readiness with Headquarters Pacific Air Forces at Hickam AFB, Hawaii, from June 1976 to June 1979, followed by Air War College at Maxwell AFB, Alabama, from June 1979 to May 1980. His next assignment was as Deputy Commander for Operations of the 82nd Flying Training Wing at Williams AFB, Arizona, from May 1980 to May 1981, and then as Base Commander (82nd Air Base Group) of Williams AFB from May 1981 to June 1983. Col Fisher's final assignment was on the faculty of Air War College at Maxwell AFB from June 1983 until his retirement from the Air Force on July 1, 1984.

His 1st (of 3) Silver Star Citation reads:

Captain Kenneth Fisher distinguished himself by gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as Aircraft Commander of an F-4C tactical fighter assigned to strike a high priority military target in North Vietnam, on 7 November 1967. On that date, Captain Fisher's aircraft was hit by antiaircraft fire during the attack. Although his aircraft had burst into flames, without regard to his own personal safety he released his bombs directly on the target. By his gallantry and devotion to duty Captain Fisher has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.