The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

SEATTLE – It may be a challenging trip, but 94-year-old Murray Fisher didn't hesitate a moment when he was invited to be honored by the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field as part of their "Salute to Those Who Served" program.

Fisher will be recognized on July 25 for the role he played during WWII as a top secret code breaker – secrets he's now free, and proud, to share.

Fisher attended school in Waitsburg until his senior year, when his father, who worked for the railroad, was transferred to Dayton. Though he graduated from Dayton, Fisher, who now lives in Walla Walla, is always included in the Waitburg reunion list.

"He's very proud of his small-town heritage and still speaks of the Waitsburg area as his home," said Fisher's daughter, Karen Fisher-Alaniz.

Karen played a key role in Fisher's upcoming recognition. Growing up, she knew her father had been in the war, but was unaware of the role he played and the pain he suffered. She had been told that he spent the war sitting behind a desk and never saw battle.

When Fisher began suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) at the age of 81, Karen began asking questions. She also started transcribing a stack of letters Fisher had kept from the war, which led to even more questions.

Over time, she learned that, far from sitting behind a desk, her father had spent his enlistment copying a Japanese code, while aboard ships and submarines in the battles of both Iwo Jima and Okinawa. She also learned that Fisher held his best friend, Mal, as he died – the experience that later triggered his PTSD.

Karen eventually wrote a book about her father's experience and the secrets he'd kept for over 50 years. Breaking the Code: A Father's Secret, a Daughter's Journey, and the Question That Changed Everything, was published by Sourcebooks in 2011.

Shortly after, Fisher was interviewed by NPR's Audie Cornish. Today, he remains eager to share his tale with younger veterans who face the same timeless issues.

Courtesy Image

War hero Murray Fisher will be honored by Mariners at Safeco Field

"Because of the secrecy of his work during WWII, he never got any recognition," Karen said. "To the best of our knowledge, his comrades – a team of five – went to their graves with their secrets. One of those comrades was Mal, who died in my father's arms.

"So when he walks out onto the field, in front of tens of thousands of people, he will be doing two things. He'll be breaking his silence and finally receiving the recognition he so deserves and he'll be doing so on behalf of those who died with their secrets," she added.

Murray Fisher will be joined in Seattle by his wife of 64 years, Betty, his three daughters, four grandchildren and one great-granddaughter. As he walks onto the field during the fourth inning, his story and photos will play on the big screen.

"I'm sure it will be a powerful moment, and I'm just hoping I can make it through," Karen said. "It will be very emotional."